MARAN: Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has dismissed claims that the People's Progressive Party (MyPPP) has been sidelined by the coalition.
Zahid, who is also Umno president, clarified that MyPPP remains part of the coalition under the Friends of BN banner but not a component party.
"We welcome everyone to participate and contribute their efforts towards BN. All parties in the BN coalition work closely during the general election, state election and by-elections," he told reporters after opening the Maran Umno delegates' meeting here.
Present was Maran Umno chief Datuk Seri Shahaniza Shamsuddin.
Zahid was asked about the MyPPP decision not to participate in the Sungai Bakap by-election.
Its acting president Datuk Dr J. Loga Bala Mohan on June 23 claimed that BN has not made any decision regarding the party's status within the coalition.
On the possibility of reinstating MyPPP as a BN component party, Zahid said it was unlikely as it must be done through a consensus among component parties.
"BN only has four component parties, namely Umno, MCA, MIC and Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah while Friends of BN has 11 parties. All parties are given equal treatment.
"In BN's constitution, the decision to accept any political party as a component must be through a consensus," he said.
In 2018, the then MyPPP president, Tan Sri M. Kayveas had announced its decision to leave BN with immediate effect to move as an independent party following internal turmoil.