by
AISYAH SULAIMAN
PUTRAJAYA: Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the best answer for Malaysians is still a coalition government or a 'kongsi' government.
Speaking at a press conference earlier, Dr Mahathir said if MCA do not take up any state or federal government positions, then there would be no representation for the Chinese.
"The fact remains that some Chinese communities do support the government, and they must be represented.
"All along we believed in the cooperation between races, and because we cannot form a multiracial party, we have devised a coalition of racial parties.
"This coalition acts as one party and if the coalition breaks down, then what will happen?" he said
When asked if PAS should join UMNO, the former premier said there would need to be a lot of compromise for that to happen.
"Umno cannot insist on having their own way and nor can Pas do the same. There has to be some adjustments.
"But one must remember that Umno and Pas are not enough to govern the country. The best would still be a 'kongsi' government where the three races are together," he said.
He also said Sabah and Sarawak have always played a big role when it comes to the formation of the ruling government, and he hoped that there would be more representation from Sabah and Sarawak in the future.