GEORGE TOWN: A former Barisan Nasional leader has called for all Malaysians to be positive and constructive as they move forward together as a nation after the just-concluded 14th General Election (GE14).
Former Penang chief minister and Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon today said as the dust settles, it was now time for reflection, reconciliation and return to the rule of law.
“The real winner in GE14 is a more matured democracy for Malaysia.
“Salute to Malaysian voters, as well as the party leaders, members and supporters on both sides of the political divide, as well as the police, for having ensured a peaceful and generally orderly transition of power at both the federal level and state levels.
“The essence of democracy is to accept and respect the wishes of the majority. They have clearly voted for change,” he said in a statement today.
Koh congratulated Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his Pakatan Harapan(PH) team for having won the mandate.
“They are now shouldering the daunting task of fulfilling the people’s high expectations.
“As such, let us be positive and constructive as we move forward together as a nation,” he said.
Koh, however, noted that to be fair, due credit must be given to successive generations of BN leaders, who, together with the people, had sustained stability and growth, especially over the past four decades.
“However, it is obvious that several major issues and grievances, not properly and adequately addressed in recent years, have resulted in BN’s defeat,” he added.