11 PKR defectors call for 'rekonsiliasi nasional' with Dr M

KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 26): The 11 politicians, led by Gombak law maker Azmin Ali (pictured), who defected from PKR have now said they are backing a "rekonsiliasi nasional" or national reconciliation with Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, reported Malaysiakini.

"After the rakyat rose up to defeat kleptocracy in the 14th general election, they now want a government that is stable and focusses on solving the people's problems.

"Reviving the economy, generating growth, creating jobs and implementing policies for shared prosperity regardless of race and religion - are these not the people's aspiration?

"To fulfil this aspiration, politicians should rise above narrow party politics. The people's aspirations should be above the narrow interest of certain groups.

"We uphold the desire for national reconciliation where MPs will prioritise the people's aspiration and national agenda," the group said in a joint statement.

They also wanted Dr Mahathir to continue on as prime minister.

The Malay Mail reported today that some analysts said Dr Mahathir’s new government “is likely to contain new and old faces but could be smaller and reflect a theme of national reconciliation”.

The news portal “understands that the model of government being looked at is along the lines of a Winston Churchill wartime Cabinet because the country is facing serious economic challenges and an urgent need to accelerate institutional reforms”.

A non-partisan administration “could lift the limitations of a single bloc leadership, freeing Tun Mahathir from thorny issues like race, religion and the party schism that dogged a large part of Pakatan Harapan’s 22 month-rule”, wrote Malay Mail.

“So far the idea of a non-partisan unity government has been mulled and remains one of the options at this stage,” said political analyst Amir Fareed Rahim.