PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has met with Pakatan Harapan election director Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari to discuss various issues, including potential cooperation with Barisan Nasional in the upcoming Melaka state polls, says Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil.
The Pakatan communications director said the meeting with Anwar had taken place, but did not elaborate on the subject of the meet.
“I understand they met yesterday, but I was not told what was discussed.
“It is true that there have been many meetings and discussions among the leadership over the past day or two. But whether that was one of the topics, I was not informed,” he said Monday (Aug 24).
He was speaking to reporters after attending a sponsorship ceremony for the human graphic performance preparation for National Day at Putrajaya.
Pakatan cooperated with Barisan during the six state polls in 2023 but Barisan cooperated with Perikatan Nasional during the recent Negri Sembilan and Johor state polls.
On Pakatan’s election strategy, Fahmi pointed to remarks by Anwar, in his capacity as coalition chairman, at the congress in Melaka last Sunday (Aug 16).
He said Anwar had spoken of the need to win back party veterans while also drawing together all of the coalition’s strength.
“What the party president said, what the Pakatan Harapan chairman mentioned at the Pakatan Harapan congress in Melaka last Sunday, is that we need to work not only to bring back the veterans, the old guard such as Tian Chua, Dr Xavier and many others, but we also need to embrace all our strength.
“So I see this as one of the strategies that will be put to use,” he said.
Dr Xavier Jayakumar has since confirmed his return to PKR, while Tian Chua welcomed Anwar’s appeal.
Barisan chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has said that the coalition would not blindly enter into an electoral pact with Perikatan for the Melaka state polls.
He said the final decision will be made by Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh, who is the state Barisan and Umno chief.
On Friday (Aug 21), PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang said Perikatan was currently holding seat negotiations with Barisan for the Melaka polls but said it was ready to walk away if Barisan decided to partner with Pakatan Harapan.
