Pakatan Harapan forms pact

PETALING JAYA: Pakatan Harapan has formed an electoral pact with Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) to ensure one-on-one fights against Barisan Nasional in the next election.

In calling PPBM the new kid in the opposition block, PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said the opposition parties which always worked together would now have one more party to work with.

“With this we have initiated a political cooperation with PPBM,” she said.

On why PPBM did not just join the Pakatan coalition, Dr Wan Azizah said the cooperation was the first step ahead of the 14th general election.

“The idea of a coalition is just a formality. Even this is just a formality. We have always been working together and we will continue.

“A lot of things can happen between now and the general election. People change and things change, we will see what happens,” she said after signing the agreement at the PKR headquarters here.

Other parties were represented by DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) president Mohamad Sabu and PPBM president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

The seven points in the agreement include ensuring only one candidate represented the coalition in elections at any level and that the party would negotiate with all opposition parties to ensure a one-on-one fight against Barisan Nasional.

On negotiations with PAS, Muh­yiddin said PAS appeared to be willing to work with the coalition and PPBM.

“We just had the first meeting, so we need to give it a chance. But we will certainly have a timeline.

“Their (PAS’) willingness to discuss and talk to us is important.

“It shows that there is intent or interest. We just don’t know what will be the conclusion,” he said.

He then stressed that he would call for the parties in the Pakatan coalition to make way for PPBM to contest in certain seats in the upco­ming general election.

“It would make no sense for us to be here and not do anything to help the party win. So we will request to contest in places we know we can win.

“Ultimately we will discuss and winnability is important. Our agreement is to win the elections first,” said Muhyiddin.

Others present included Pakatan Harapan chief secretary Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah and PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Azmin Ali.