SHAH ALAM – Outgoing PKR Youth chief Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir has urged the party to focus on more pressing matters instead of seeking to form allies with parties outside Pakatan Harapan (PH) under the “big tent” approach for the looming 15th general electron (GE15).
Speaking during the PKR Youth congress here today, he said that discussions on the approach have for now revolved around the positions each party would get instead of solutions to the people’s plight.
He warned that voters will not be drawn to a party or coalition that appears to disregard vital everyday issues.
“Our stance has always been clear and consistent, in line with the majority of the grassroots voices, that we do not want to be swept away by political talk of a ‘big tent’.
“Do not imitate our enemies who organise political moves for the sake of freeing themselves from prison sentences or to get high positions in their own self-interests.
“Meanwhile, the people are cursing politicians for prioritising power while their fate is left unattended to,” he said in his policy speech, warning that those pushing for the approach might attach conditions to their friendship.
“The day after tomorrow, they won’t want to be friends anymore.
“I’m sorry to say this, but it is a waste of time if we continue to cater to them, and there will be no results,” he claimed, calling on PKR to focus on strengthening its ties with its PH allies to provide comprehensive means to address the people’s struggles.
“Stop these futile acts and use the little time remaining to focus on the people’s issues,” he pressed, noting that efforts to pull in voters on the fence through the Ayuh Malaysia campaign initiated by incoming PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli should be celebrated.
Previously, Rafizi had openly criticised the “big tent” approach, despite it supposedly being backed by certain segments within the party.
On the campaign trail, Rafizi said such a move would require PKR to embrace politicians not favoured by the public, and urged the party to prioritise strengthening itself.
It is widely touted that Rafizi’s principles to not cooperate with other parties under the “big tent” in facing GE15 may have been the deciding factor in securing his landslide victory in the PKR deputy president race. – The Vibes, July 15, 2022
