KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional (BN) Youth Chief Khairy Jamaluddin said the four Sarawak BN component parties' decision to leave the coalition would have a huge impact on Umno’s restructuring process.
He said it would also leave Umno with no choice but to relook its relations with BN component parties in the peninsula and also in Sabah and Sarawak.
“I hope any discussion (on the relations) will be centred on the new political scenario of the country.
“We must still be willing to co-operate with our friends in Sarawak even if they don’t have the intention of returning to BN in the future,” he said in a Facebook posting.
It was reported that Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sarawak (SUPP), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) and Parti Progresif Demokratik (PDP) have left BN to Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).
Khairy said he accepted with an open heart the decision made by Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg to leave BN.
“I understand and wish them luck even though the decision means that the almost half a century of co-operation among BN Sarawak has come to an end.
“I hope other BN components in the country will also accept what has happened in Sarawak and not become disheartened by it,” he said.
Khairy said what happened today marked a new beginning in the political relations among parties in the peninsula and those in Sarawak.