ISKANDAR PUTERI: The Malaysian Indian People’s Party (MIPP) has offered to mediate between PAS and Bersatu amid the Perikatan Nasional partners’ tense exchanges.
MIPP president P. Punithan said differences within the coalition should be addressed through existing party mechanisms rather than through public statements.
The Perikatan deputy chairman also downplayed remarks made by PAS and Bersatu on charting their own political paths, saying that Perikatan remained united.
“I do not see any major issues within Perikatan. There may be one or two matters that certain parties feel disappointed about, but these can be resolved through discussion,” he told a press conference after chairing a Johor MIPP committee meeting here on Sunday (May 31).
Punithan said he had suggested that Perikatan’s party presidents meet to discuss recent developments to prevent negative perceptions among voters.
He said that many issues being discussed publicly had never been raised during the coalition’s supreme council meetings, including on May 17, which had proceeded smoothly with decisions reached amicably.
“We do not want the public to think that the coalition is facing serious internal problems. Every coalition has issues from time to time, but they should not be allowed to erode public confidence,” he said.
Punithan also revealed that he had spoken with Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin about the matter during a recent meeting in Melaka.
“I informed him that discussions would be the best approach, and he agreed. We believe dialogue is the way forward,” he said.
He stressed that the coalition should remain focused on larger political challenges, including upcoming state elections in Johor, Melaka and Negeri Sembilan, as well as the next general election.
“These elections are far more important than any misunderstanding that may exist between coalition partners,” he said.
Punithan added that MIPP was comfortable working with all Perikatan component parties, including PAS, Bersatu and Gerakan, and remained committed to strengthening the opposition coalition ahead of future elections.
