Pakatan: Okay for opposing coalitions to collaborate

KLANG: Several Pakatan Harapan MPs say it is permissible for the coalition to embark on a political collaboration with Barisan Nasional for the betterment of the nation.

PKR’s Selayang MP William Leong said given the current political climate, it would make sense for the two opposing coalitions to collaborate.

He said Pakatan and Barisan had the most seats in Parliament, so they had the legitimacy to work together.

“A legitimate unity government must be made up of the two biggest coalitions. In order to have stability in the nation, the government must involve the two biggest coalitions in Parliament.

“In most developed countries, unity governments are formed comprising elected representatives from parties that had contested against each other in the polls, ’’ he said.Leong added that the current composition in the government was akin to a case of a “small brother bullying a big brother”.

DAP’s Klang MP Charles Santiago said there was an attempt by Pakatan chief Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim two months ago to pave a path towards a collaboration between both coalitions.

“There was interest shown by Barisan but when push came to shove, (by way of voting for the government’s Budget in Parliament), nothing came from them, ” he said.

Santiago added that the intent to work together should have been made clear in Parliament with Barisan coming out in the open to state that they wanted to collaborate with Pakatan and did not want to remain in Perikatan Nasional.

In the event that the collaboration materialised, said Santiago, both Pakatan and Barisan must draw up a common manifesto for the proposed unity government.

“Pakatan clearly emphasises Parliamentary independence, independence of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and governmental reforms.

“It is also Pakatan’s reform agenda that the people had voted for in the polls and if there is to be a collaboration, Barisan must make it clear that it also supports this, ’’ he said.

PKR’s Kapar MP Datuk Abdullah Sani Abdul Hamid said it was timely for Pakatan and Barisan to work together given the critical issues afflicting the nation currently.