Are you prepared to sit with us? Muhyiddin asks Pakatan

KUALA LUMPUR – The ball is in Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) court if it is open to working with Bersatu ahead of the general election, said party chief Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, in what appears to be an invitation to the opposition coalition for an alliance.

He said while no formal negotiations have taken place between the two political entities on the possibility of an electoral cooperation, party leaders should give serious thought to the matter, in a bid to dethrone Umno.

He also acknowledged that there have been initiatives taken by certain quarters to initiate informal discussions with PH on ways to avoid multi-cornered fights, with the ultimate goal of defeating Barisan Nasional (BN), although nothing concrete has come out of them.

“We haven’t reached the stage where a decision has been made, but we are probing the possibilities. And I believe it is sensible that all the party leaders involved give serious consideration,” he told reporters after attending the Pagoh constituency Hari Raya open house today.

“If all the leaders opine that this is a vital strategy to face the election and bring the country back on the right track and ensure the kleptocrats and the court cluster don’t rule the country, then we must sit together.

“The question is, are they prepared to do so? What is their basis of discussion and negotiation, and when can they make a decision so that our narrative can be understood by the masses?”

Muhyiddin, who got Bersatu out of PH during the Sheraton Move in February 2020 and ultimately caused the collapse of the then government, was asked if there has been any discussion with leaders of other parties to head into the general election with PH.

Rumours of a possible cooperation between the two parties have been floating for months now after clashes between the entities in recent state elections have seen their votes split, ultimately favouring BN.

On April 24, Muhyiddin had said his party is ready to cooperate with any political outfit to ensure a straight fight with BN, and that discussions are underway to offer a win-win formula.

PKR also appears to be open to cooperation beyond just PH parties, with its secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail among those to have previously said to support such a move.

However, other components of PH have previously rejected to the idea of rekindling relationship with Bersatu, whom they see as a traitor and untrustworthy, with Bersatu’s Perikatan Nasional ally PAS also objecting to any such alliance.

Separately, Muhyiddin today denied a statement by PAS vice-president Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah that his party has started discussions with Bersatu on seat negotiations for the general election.

The former prime minister said while he agrees in principle that seat distributions should be done early in order to allow more time for the election machinery to prepare and work, negotiations have yet to begin.

“Although it is a good suggestion, to date, we have not reached that level yet. But principally, I agree. For me, it is good to have early preparation.”

On Wednesday, Amar had said that seat negotiations have been initiated between the two parties, although they are still in the early stages, with no final decision made. – The Vibes, May 20, 2022