GEORGE TOWN: Gerakan sees the emerging cooperation between Perikatan Nasional and Barisan Nasional as positive ahead of the next general election and the formation of the next Federal government.
Gerakan president Datuk Dr Dominic Lau said the cooperation between the two coalitions in Negri Sembilan was encouraging and could serve as a basis for broader cooperation ahead of the 16th General Election (GE16).
"The recent attendance of Umno leaders at the PAS muktamar was also a signal that this cooperation can continue," he said during a press conference after officiating the Penang Gerakan Delegates Conference 2026 at the state party headquarters here on Sunday (Sept 6)
Lau stressed that the cooperation is not simply between Umno and PAS but more about cooperation between Barisan and Perikatan.
Lau said Perikatan could contest the election on its own but would face difficulties forming governments in certain states without cooperation with other parties.
"Our main focus is GE16. We want to form the Federal government and to do that, we must have cooperation with the coalition we are in discussions with, which is Barisan," he said.
He said the model adopted in Negri Sembilan where the two coalitions worked together was seen as beneficial to both.
Lau said Gerakan was prepared to work with any coalition to secure electoral victory.
"Our agenda is to win. Any coalition that can help Gerakan win, we welcome it.
"We know our strengths and weaknesses, including the limitations we face in terms of support among Malaysia's multiracial, multi-religious and multicultural society," he said.
On seat negotiations, Lau said Gerakan had already identified seats it considered winnable and would focus its resources on those constituencies.
Lau also said the Perikatan supreme council would meet soon to discuss its strategy ahead for the next general election.
"If we want to win, it would be better for us to work with Barisan," he said.
He said the performance of state Perikatan chairmen would also be reviewed.
On Penang, Lau said the state Perikatan leadership would hold another meeting on Sept 15 to discuss strategies for the state.
He said the cooperation model seen in Negri Sembilan could be adopted in other states.
Lau said Perikatan and Barisan had already held official meetings to discuss the way forward.
