Speaking to reporters after attending a Christmas Day hi-tea reception here by the Council of Churches of Malaysia, Wan Azizah, who is deputy prime minister, said it would be a good thing for PPBM to do so.
She said PKR would give PPBM the “space” to discuss the matter with Warisan.
Yesterday, PPBM president Muhyiddin Yassin was reported as saying that PPBM was already in talks whether to set up shop in Sabah.
However, Warisan vice-president Junz Wong has dismissed the report, stating that there was an understanding that PPBM would not set up branches in Sabah.
PPBM, with Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad as chairman, is present in all states in the peninsula. It recently spread its wings to Sarawak.
Recently, Sabah Umno lost nine of its 10 assemblymen, five of its six MPs and 22 of 25 division chiefs.
Although they have declared they will be independents and will support Pakatan Harapan and Warisan, they are said to be waiting to join PBBM when it opens in Sabah.
Meanwhile, on concerns that debates at PPBM’s annual general meeting will not be open to the public as opposed to other PH party general meetings, Wan Azizah denied this went against PH’s pledge to be transparent.
“You have to ask them. Maybe there are some issues in-house, within their family,” she said, adding she will not be attending the AGM.
PPBM’s AGM, slated for his weekend, will be the first since PH assumed power in May. It has been reported that debates by the delegates will take place behind closed doors to avoid raising sensitive matters.
Last year, at PPBM’s first AGM, Mahathir said the debates would take place behind closed doors so that delegates could speak freely without fear of a media backlash. This will apply this year as well.
The Christmas reception was held at the Luther Centre here. She was joined by Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Hannah Yeoh and Primary Industries Minister Teresa Kok.
Present were Bishop Ong Hwai Teik, from the Methodist Church, and acting president of the Council of Churches of Malaysia, Bishop Aaron Yap, who is from the Lutheran Church, and Eu Hong Seng, from the National Evangelical Christian Fellowship.
Action against those who threaten peace and harmony
Earlier in her speech, Wan Azizah, who is also the women, family and community development minister, said the government will not hesitate to take action against those who threaten peace and harmony.
“Fake news, inflammatory messages and messages that stoke religious hatred have no place in Malaysia Baru,” Wan Azizah said.
The government will ensure such practices are curbed.
Wan Azizah also recalled how she greatly benefited from the nuns who taught her at school from Standard 1 to Form 5, saying she was greatly indebted to them for teaching her core values.
“Every religion in the country treasures the noble values of love, peace and goodwill among all people. In fact, it lies at the very core of our respective religious teachings.
“I feel Malaysia is a model nation that emulates these teachings.
“Our government is committed to continuing to enlarge spaces of mutual respect, sharing and harmony,” she said.