KUALA LUMPUR – Gerak Independent (GI) had approached Pakatan Harapan (PH) component parties to offer partnerships in some seats for the 15th general election (GE15), but never heard back from them, GI co-founder Siti Kasim said.
The lawyer said GI had reached out to DAP and Amanah on the possibility of GI candidates running under the PH banner for GE15.
“We (GI) met with the leaderships of DAP and Amanah, but of course, we have not heard back from them,” she told The Vibes, adding that the meeting had taken place prior to the dissolution of Parliament on October 10.
When questioned on the exclusion of PKR from the meeting, Siti said: “(Do) you think PKR wants to meet with us (GI)? PKR is more egoistic (than DAP and Amanah).”
One GI member, Tawfik Ismail, recently said he met with PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli, vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar, and central leadership committee member Wong Chen to discuss contesting the Bagan Datuk parliamentary seat under the PH banner.
The proposal has since received the backing of DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang, who urged PH to “give a proper and positive response” to the suggestion.
Tawfik meanwhile, acknowledged the decision would ultimately be made by the PH top leadership.
While Tawfik had also said that his request to Rafizi, Nurul Izzah, and Wong had been received positively, Siti, who is eyeing the Batu constituency, was more pessimistic.
“It is very unlikely that (PH) will take up the offer (for GI candidates to run under its banner). If they do (accept the proposal), I would be pleasantly surprised,” she said.
She also said GI’s proposal to stand under PH’s banner had been due to voters’ feedback.
“A lot of voters were concerned that GI would split votes with PH, so we said that we don’t mind contesting under the PH banner as independent candidates without joining any of its parties.”
She also claimed that PH’s apparent reluctance to pursue collaborations with GI for GE15 showed that the coalition prioritised its own political agenda instead of voters’ welfare.
“They (PH) are more concerned with (deciding) how many seats they want to contest, instead of allowing people like Tawfik and I to work together with them.
“I hope that the people can see which parties are thinking (about) the nation and which are strategising for the sake of their own political gain,” she added.
Siti had harsh words for PKR, saying she did not trust the leadership, and that its resistance to collaborating with Muda and Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) shows its “egoism”.
“DAP and Amanah are all okay with (working with) Muda and PSM,” Siti noted. – The Vibes, October 27, 2022
