MELAKA: Wanting stability for the country is why cooperation with Barisan Nasional should continue in the federal administration, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
However, the Prime Minister and Pakatan Harapan chairman said this has not affected relations among the coalition partners, which he described as solid.
“So if you ask me, ‘Anwar, what is your choice?’ I choose stability. I choose prosperity for the people through economic growth.
“I choose to continue working with Barisan and Umno at the federal level so that these two principles can be upheld,” he said.
Speaking at the PKR National Congress, Anwar said the party was built on struggle and was prepared to face any eventualities.
“If it comes to a clash, then so be it. But we must act rationally and with wisdom, and we must safeguard this unity,” said the PKR president.
He reiterated that relations with Barisan and Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi remain good.
“I believe we can negotiate amicably because we are friends,” he said.
Stating that the price of safeguarding the country is high, Anwar said that is why the Pakatan-Barisan cooperation must be maintained.
“Those outside may not agree with us on matters concerning Islam and the Malays but the Chinese and Indians are also part of the Malaysian people.
“Therefore, we will continue this cooperation and I urge all of you to exercise wisdom so that whatever steps we take do not go too far.
“Whatever we do, we must avoid unnecessary or excessive measures,” he added.
Anwar also said there were some concerns over purported tensions between Pakatan partners.
“As friends, we should remain friends built on trust and confidence. We should not have any other agenda. Even if we feel there is a new strategy that we want to modify, we discuss with DAP and Amanah, within Pakatan.
“Over the past few months, there have been several surprising decisions that were not communicated to us.
“Their explanation was that these were strategies to consolidate their respective parties. That is their right. We should not question it,” he said, in reference to Barisan not having a pact with Pakatan in the recent Johor and Negri Sembilan polls despite cooperation at the federal level.
He added that the convention of any coalition must be based on consensus, proper consultation and mutual respect.
“The cooperation between PKR, DAP and Amanah is exceptionally strong and solid.”
At the congress, Anwar urged PKR delegates for their support for his “old friend” Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, who will assume the duties of acting deputy president during Nurul Izzah Anwar’s absence.
He affirmed that PKR vice-president and Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari has been given the full mandate as the party’s election director.
Anwar also spoke on the importance of internal party cohesion, calling for an end to factionalism and parallel structures within the party.
