Pakatan should accept those who betrayed it if they sincerely repent, says Amanah veep

ALOR SETAR: Those who betrayed Pakatan Harapan should be accepted back into the coalition in the 15th general election (GE15) provided they repent their past actions, says Datuk Mahfuz Omar.

The Amanah vice-president said all parties in the Opposition bloc must unite under the "big tent" approach to face a common enemy instead of arguing like what had happened in the Melaka and Johor elections.

"In Islam, the concept of 'insaf' is easy, if he or she repents and wants to work with Pakatan, I have no problem at all.

"For me, if previously we could accept those who had betrayed us or those who have different principles from us, then why not now?" he was quoted as saying by Malay language daily Sinar Harian at a press conference at a hotel here on Tuesday (April 26).

The Pokok Sena MP said all parties have the same goal in GE15 which is to unite in a "big tent".

He said the cooperation can be done if all parties can achieve the sixth point of the Port Dickson Declaration in relation to the reformation agenda that the Opposition wants to bring in the general election.

He said if the coalition wants to strengthen the Opposition bloc (beyond the existing four parties), the "big tent" must be reinforced with strong bindings so that it won't be affected by the storm.

He said only after that, could the coalition accept anyone who wants to join the bloc in the "big tent".

"We are always open, this is the Pakatan principle," he said.