Rather, he said, the dissenting views will strengthen the coalition as it seeks to wrest Putrajaya from the unity government.

“We appreciate the diversity of views in order to achieve the same goal, namely forming a stable government and one of integrity,” he told FMT.

Lau also said he is confident PN component leaders will be able to prudently manage the conflicting views within the coalition.

The Penang PN chairman said what is important now is for the coalition to work hard in order to be voted into power.

“We can discuss the prime minister candidate later,” he said.

He was asked to comment on PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang’s statement earlier today the party wanted PN’s prime minister candidate for GE16 to be a leader who is aged below 70 and physically healthy.

Hadi also said only a leader with integrity should be nominated.

Hadi’s remarks appear to be a rejection of PN chairman Muhyiddin Yassin, who is 78 and was nominated by Bersatu as its  prime ministerial candidate a week ago.

Muhyiddin’s deputy, opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin, is 68 and has often been touted as a potential prime minister candidate for PN.

Meanwhile, Bersatu information chief Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz said the matter of the prime minister candidate would be raised and discussed by the coalition, which would make a collective decision.

“As a matter of principle, we respect the views of the respective PN components,” he said.

The PN Supreme Council is expected to discuss the issue of its prime minister candidate next week.