PETALING JAYA: Perikatan Nasional is prepared for the upcoming general election and is open to exploring electoral pacts with any party that shares its principles and vision.
Perikatan secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan said in a statement on Sunday (May 17) that the coalition also welcomed parties keen on becoming its strategic partner without being a component party.
"We are ready for GE16. However, as a realistic and inclusive political coalition, PN is also open to the participation and cooperation of other interested parties as an electoral pact," he said.
Takiyuddin said that during the Perikatan supreme council meeting on May 16, which was chaired by coalition chairman, Datuk Seri Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, it was decided that the idea of such political cooperation would be refined through the establishment of a special committee.
He said the committee would be made up of representatives of Perikatan's component parties, who will develop comprehensive terms and conditions for interested parties.
"This approach, we believe, is more in line with the reality of the country's political landscape and supports the importance of constructive political cooperation to ensure national stability and the well-being of the people," said Takiyuddin.
He said the move was also a way of opening up opportunities to various parties to actively participate in the country's political process in a more meaningful and healthy way.
Takiyuddin said that the coalition was yet to receive a response from MIC on its decision to join as a component party.
"As no confirmation was received from MIC and following an official statement it had issued saying it had never officially applied to join Perikatan, it was decided in the meeting that the decision to accept MIC as a Perikatan component party previously offered is now void," he said.
