KUALA LUMPUR: Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has outlined a blueprint to court more support from Malaysians in a bid to win the 16th general election.
With its existing support as the foundation, the former prime minister expressed optimism that PN might become the "It" party in the future, potentially taking over Putrajaya in three years when the next general elections were due.
"PN is just over four years old, but it has received a huge amount of support from the rakyat by winning 74 parliamentary seats and 210 state seats; and administrating four states currently.
"However, we can't be comfortable with this amount of support. Our responsibility as MPs and assemblymen is to increase the wave of support from the rakyat for PN until we win in GE16 and form the federal government.
Muhyiddin had also outlined six other strategies for the coalition to further ride on and get more people to support the PN wave in the run-up towards GE16 in three years.
This includes remaining committed to serving as a functional opposition to offer checks and balances, as well as being a party that supports the Federal Constitution and Rukun Negara values.
"Thirdly, we must continue to expand the principles of Caring, Clean and Stable as the cornerstone of PN's identity and policy.
"This is our determination and promise to the people during the election. I believe the people support PN because they are confident and they believe in our principles, policies and identity," he said.
Muhyiddin added that the PN-led states - Kedah, Terengganu, Kelantan and Perlis - should be a model of the PN administration.
"For me, this is an opportunity for us to prove that PN can govern with excellence. This includes the ability of the four state governments to attract investment, generate state economic growth, provide job and business opportunities, manage state revenue efficiently and transparently, look after the welfare of the people and preserve the harmony of the multiracial and religious community.
"I imagine that in the run-up to GE16, the four state governments under PN can show a 'score card' of their respective successes while governing the state. God willing, this will give confidence to the people to support PN," he said.
He also called for all PN component parties to practise the principle of power sharing and unity among PN parties.
"Recently myself and the senior leaders of Bersatu sat together with Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang and the Pas senior leaders.
"We all agree that the parties in PN need each other. Pas cannot be alone without Bersatu and Bersatu cannot be alone without Pas.
"Each has its own strength and the strength of PN is the result of the strength of all parties in PN. This is our deal. This is our consensus.
"This also means that when we form a government, power must be shared fairly and equitably by all member parties so that we all have a role to serve the people. This is the most important principle in us forming a powerful political cooperation and ensuring that our political alliance remains," he said.
He also called for all PN leaders to be "the face of PN" for the people.
"Help the people. Explain to them about PN and what PN stands for. We bring the voice of the people to the parliament, to the state assemblies in order to protect their welfare.
"In states where PN is not the government, ask the people to understand our position as the opposition. We help as best as we can. The issue of no allocation from the central government cannot be a reason for us not to perform our duties as representatives of the people," he said.