KUALA LUMPUR – Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has all but confirmed that the coalition will enter into an electoral pact with youth-based outfit Muda ahead of the coming 15th general election.
Speaking to the press after a PH presidential council meeting, the opposition leader said a decision was made today to continue its cooperation with the fledgling party.
He added that the committee previously established to oversee the matter is currently ironing out several issues to achieve a consensus, including on seat negotiations and use of logo for the election period.
“We have no objection… there was a decision earlier, and the decision is it (cooperation) can continue,” he said when asked about the progress of discussions on Muda’s inclusion into PH and whether a decision has been made.
Anwar, who is also PKR president, added that the proposal for Muda to be included as a formal member of PH is currently not feasible as this would require approval from the Registrar of Societies (RoS).
“At the moment, it is an electoral pact, because if (Muda) wants to join as an official member (of PH), it has to go through the RoS. I don’t think the RoS will approve anything now,” he told reporters.
Previously, PH and Muda had similarly cooperated to face the Johor election in March.
However, the latter’s decision to place a candidate against PKR in Larkin infuriated many PKR members.
On September 6, Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman announced his party’s intention of joining PH, emphasising the importance of unity among the opposition in facing the election.
Meanwhile, Anwar also addressed questions about whether the coalition will review its previous decision not to dissolve the legislative assemblies of states under its control in line with the dissolution of Parliament.
He said the matter has now been referred back to the respective parties for further deliberation.
“We have asked that the matter be discussed in further detail among the respective party leaders, so that there is a consensus. Re-discuss with the parties and states.
“This involves PKR (in Selangor and Negri Sembilan) and DAP in Penang. So, there will be discussions. At the moment, we are still tied to the previous decision (not to dissolve). But we are still discussing.”
“The presidential council has given its views, and the parties and states will obviously have to be given some space to discuss and revert back to us in the near future,” he said.
The Vibes had reported on Monday on the PH leadership’s inclination to enter into an electoral pact with Muda.
A source, who has direct knowledge of PH-Muda negotiations, described the pact as “more practical and realistic”, adding that the decision was made due to the proximity and urgency of GE15.
Speaking on BFM’s The Breakfast Grille earlier this month, Muda president Syed Saddiq had confessed that there is no “Plan B” for the party if PH decides not to accept Muda as a coalition member.
He said should Muda be rejected, the party’s position will be discussed again by its executive leadership. – The Vibes, October 12, 2022
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