Malaysia

Anwar shoots down talk of official cooperation with Umno

Discussions held, but still too early to say for sure Pakatan will work with party for GE15, says PKR chief

Updated 5 years ago · Published on 16 Mar 2021 5:49PM

Anwar shoots down talk of official cooperation with Umno
PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is not ruling out the possibility of Pakatan Harapan cooperating with Umno in GE15. – SYEDA IMRAN/The Vibes pic, March 16, 2021

by Azril Annuar

PETALING JAYA – It is premature to say that PKR and the Pakatan Harapan coalition will cooperate with Umno in the 15th general election, said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. 

The PKR chief said he had “early” or preliminary discussions with Umno leaders to see what common grounds they shared, but there is “no official cooperation”.

Please, don’t mistake our discussion as a cooperation.

“I do not deny that there is the possibility of cooperation. I’ve informed this to our MPs and state leaders to pass the message on to our grassroots. Many commentators have said this is a cooperation; please, don’t mistake our discussion as a cooperation.

“There’s no official cooperation.”

Among the issues discussed were the Malay language, Islam, special privileges and the royals, he said.

In an interview with Mingguan Malaysia last week, Anwar said he did not have any qualms about possible arrangements to work with Umno.

However, many in the public sphere mistook the remark to mean direct cooperation between the two parties in GE15.

“There are Umno MPs who support this idea. As a party, they have made no decision besides leaving Bersatu. So, discussions with Umno will continue,” said Anwar.

“There’s a possibility for cooperation. We won’t reject it, but it’s too early for me to decide.” – The Vibes, March 16, 2021

Related News

Malaysia / 12h

BN-PH ties strained by grassroots reality, not Putrajaya pact, says analyst

Malaysia / 2d

PAS-BN talks: A political reunion haunted by old wounds and a question of trust

Malaysia / 3d

PRN Negeri Sembilan: Handshake between Hadi Awang and Asyraf Wajdi centre of attention

Malaysia / 5d

BN-PN cooperation talks revive questions over political loyalty as PAS shifts closer to Umno

Malaysia / 1w

Johor state election: PAS ready to help BN form state government

Malaysia / 2w

Support for BN in Johor: ‘PAS has secret pact with Umno’ – Mahfuz

Spotlight

Malaysia

After Johor, the uncomfortable question for Anwar’s critics: Were we too impatient?

By The Vibes Says

Malaysia

Network School's business licences revoked, to cease operations tomorrow

Opinion

Orang Asli in Pahang: Token gestures or genuine recognition?

Malaysia

Tuition teacher sentenced to 105 years in prison and 70 lashes for raping daughter

Malaysia

Azam Baki denies involvement in RM178.29 million contract linked to brother’s company

Malaysia

Aminuddin urges NS voters to weigh manifesto promising benefits for M40 and B40 groups

Malaysia

No need to resign, PM has absolute power if there is doubt – Ahmad Zahid

World

Gaza’s water crisis deepens as families face thirst, disease and collapsing sanitation systems

You may be interested

Malaysia

PH offers more comprehensive manifesto, benefits all groups

Malaysia

Telco identifies suspect in data breach as MCMC demands full report

Malaysia

Network School's business licences revoked, to cease operations tomorrow

Malaysia

No need to resign, PM has absolute power if there is doubt – Ahmad Zahid

Malaysia

Saifuddin: Immigration Dept on track to exceed RM5b revenue target this year

Malaysia

Malaysia faces record heat risk in 2027 as El Niño expected to intensify

Malaysia

Good governance and political stability are essential for national prosperity, says Perak Ruler

Malaysia

Federal Govt passes RM83.46m in flood mitigation, coastal protection projects to Selangor