KUALA LUMPUR: The decision by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and five other members of Parliament aligned to him to remain as independent bloc together with Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan) will not undermine Perikatan Nasional (PN) government's stability.
Barisan Nasional (BN) secretary-general Tan Sri Annuar Musa in welcoming the former premier's move, said his decision should be respected by all quarters.
He said the decision by the Langkawi Member of Parliament to form and lead an independent bloc inside and outside the Parliament will provide an opportunity for "collaboration" in the future.
"What is important is that they (Dr Mahathir, the 5 MPs aligned to him and elected representatives from Warisan) are no longer with the opposition, no longer with Pakatan Harapan (PH).
"As we all are aware, (the presence of) independent (MPs) will not provide significant impact but play a role (in the country's political landscape).
"For example, although there were independent candidates contesting during the recently concluded Chini state seat by-election, their presence did not provide any significant impact.
"Having said, I welcome such decision. It is within their rights and it should be respected by all. At least, it will provide us an opportunity to work together on certain matters," he said.
Annuar who is the Federal Territories Minister said this after handing-over letters of appointment to Federal Territory Residents Representative Council here today.
Dr Mahathir together with the five other MPs in a joint statement on Friday said the decision by the PH leadership council to name PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as the pact's Prime Ministerial candidate, did not involve them or their friends from Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) and Parti Warisan Sabah.
The other federal lawamaker co-signatories of the statement were his son Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir, who is also Jerlun MP, Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (Muar), Dr Maszlee Malik (Simpang Renggam), Datuk Amiruddin Hamzah (Kubang Pasu) and Datuk Dr Shahruddin Md Salleh (Sri Gading).
The six MPs in the statement had also called out to Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) and DAP for backtracking on their decision.
"Naming (Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd) Shafie (Apdal) as our prime minister candidate is a positive move, as he would not only be capable of garnering the support of the majority but is also the best way forward to forge better ties with Sabah and Sarawak," the statement read.