KUALA LUMPUR: The announcement of the formal collaboration between Umno and PAS means that the “spirit” of Barisan Nasional has ended, says Barisan secretary-general Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz.

He added that the union of the two biggest Malay parties also puts an end to the multicultural spirit that Barisan was founded upon.

“The Umno-PAS union has ended the spirit of Barisan of 1969,” he said at PWTC here yesterday.

Nazri was referring to the formation of the Barisan coalition which comprised Umno, MCA and MIC after the 1969 general election and May 13 racial riots.

He also said MCA should be allowed to table its resolution to seek the dissolution of Barisan.

“MCA must be allowed to table its resolution, and we should not let the issue drag on,” he added.

On his post as Barisan secretary-general, Nazri said he will not be attending the Barisan supreme council meeting tomorrow so that MCA and MIC can attend the meeting.

The two parties earlier said that they would not attend if Nazri was present. Both parties have questioned Nazri’s legitimacy as secretary-general and were angered by his remarks at the recent Semenyih by-election.

He said he had earlier insisted on attending the meeting to discuss with all leaders his position as Barisan secretary-general.

End of an era: Nazri speaking to the press at PWTC in Kuala Lumpur. — Bernama

“I also want this meeting to be held as I want MCA and MIC to raise the issue of my appointment so that it can be formally discussed and I can be asked to resign,” Nazri said.

Earlier on Tuesday, MCA and MIC issued a joint statement, saying that Nazri should not attend the upcoming meeting as his appointment as Barisan secretary-general was unconstitutional.

The two parties said that if Nazri agreed to attend the meeting, then the legitimacy of the meeting will be disputed.

Nazri also said that he will not be resigning from his post as Barisan secretary-general However, he has left the decision to the Barisan leadership.

“I don’t want people to think that just because I support the union between Umno and PAS that I have abandoned Barisan.

“(But) to support the Umno-PAS union and at the same time be the secretary-general of Barisan which is multiracial – that is inconsistent.

“(So) I don’t mind being pushed out,” he said.

Nazri said that he supports the Umno-PAS union as it can help to secure the political survival of Umno.

He added that the Malay grassroots also want to see a collaboration between the two parties.