February 8, 2023
KUALA LUMPUR – Three committees have been formed by the unity government to focus on issues concerning communication strategies and the upcoming state polls among others.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the three committees were on communication strategies, state elections and another to monitor political developments and administration.
“This is to ensure that policies are agreed by all,” said Anwar after chairing the unity government secretariat meeting at the World Trade Centre KL on Tuesday (Feb 7) night.
Anwar said the committee on state polls will ensure that all parties in the unity government work as one team in the upcoming six state elections.
“This committee will also discuss issues on the state polls, particularly seat allocations, and to focus on efforts to ensure we have a firm ground in taking on the state elections.
“This is very positive to me because of the consensus and commitment by all parties, as well as our friends from Sabah and Sarawak, to ensure that we are a team,” he added.
Also present at the meeting were Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) parliamentary whip Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof among others.
Anwar said the communication strategy committee was needed for the present government to address extreme slander.
He cited the recent Quran burning incident in Sweden as an example, where religious leaders had claimed that the government was silent.
“That time, we issued a statement condemning the act. The Foreign Ministry summoned the Swedish ambassador and one million copies of the Quran were distributed immediately around the world,” Anwar said.
“This is why this committee is needed,” he added.
Anwar also said the committee to monitor political developments and government agenda will look into public views on election manifestos of the parties under the unity government.
“They will also look into policies that are of priority, such as the cost of living and ensuring cooperation between all races in all states,” said Anwar.
The Prime Minister also announced that he is the chairman of the secretariat of the unity government and Fadillah will be its secretary-general.
According to Anwar, the head of parties under the unity government will be the deputy presidents in the secretariat.
Meanwhile, Anwar thanked Ahmad Zahid for hosting the meeting at Umno’s headquarters in WTC KL.
Anwar said the secretariat meeting began with a presentation by data science experts on the post-GE15 analysis.
“In terms of support, the unity government is the only coalition that represents all races in the country and this is an advantage to us,” Anwar added.
Anwar’s visit to the Umno headquarters was the first in about 25 years.
Anwar’s unity government is supported by Pakatan Harapan’s 82 MPs, followed by Barisan Nasional’s 30, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) 6, GPS’ 23, Warisan’s three, two independent MPs, and one respectively from Parti KDM, Muda and PBM.