Let’s build national consensus: Teresa

DESPITE an onslaught of allegations from pro-Barisan Nasional quarters that her Chinese New Year video had adversely affected racial unity, Kok feels that the ruling coalition has to forge an understanding with the Opposition for the good of the country.
The party's national vice-chairman and Seputeh MP said BN leaders need to learn to be more mature in handling Pakatan Rakyat and be willing to sit at the table for discussion.
"They should stop bullying the Pakatan leaders. It is time for both parties to meet and talk and build consensus on various issues faced by the nation as practised in advanced countries," she said.
This, she said, is why PR leaders have called for a committee on national consensus so that leaders from the ruling and opposition coalition can meet and discuss national issues, particularly sensitive ones.
"We need to learn from the United States, Australia and many other countries in Europe as to how parties from the opposing sides come together to work for the people. We have to learn to cross boundaries for the good of the nation," she said.
Kok said the DAP is willing to work with the BN in building consensus on various issues faced by the nation.
In an interview with theSun over the weekend, she said it was time that BN worked hand in hand with the Opposition for the good of the people.
Noting that the BN has to come to terms with the fact that the people want change in the country, the DAP national vice-chairman and a member of parliament for four terms said:
"It is time for the BN to accept the fact that they can't have two-thirds majority in Parliament and that it is difficult for them to get back Selangor, Penang and Kelantan."
On recent religious and racial issues that have been affecting unity, Kok urged Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak to put his foot down on the matter.
"Of late and in fact in the last few years, there have been more and more people stoking racial and religious tensions. As the prime minster, he should step in and put an end to (the raising of) all sensitive issues affecting peace and harmony in the country.
"He should ensure that the 1Malaysia spirit that he has been promoting prevails before the situation gets out of control," she said.