KUALA LUMPUR – PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli has branded a purported document as utter nonsense for suggesting an agreement between Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Perikatan Nasional (PN) to form the new government after the general election.
Instead, he indicated that any partnership post-election will only likely be with Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).
Responding to an alleged memorandum of understanding (MoU) supposedly inked by PH chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his PN counterpart Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Rafizi told a press conference today that it is most probably Umno’s doing.
He said the move could stem out of Barisan Nasional’s (BN) desperation to swing the Malay votes in its favour, with the voter bank now split three ways between the three main coalitions.
Rafizi added that no one in their right mind from PH or PN would have inked a letter that could be so detrimental to their election campaign.
“If there is even any discussion, it will be a verbal understanding. This is Umno black ops’ doing… obviously, there is no such thing.
“Given the intensity of our campaign against Muhyiddin and PAS who are playing race and religion cards, it doesn’t make sense for us to suddenly enter into a secret agreement with PN. It’s nonsense.”
In the viral document, it stated that through its MoU signed on November 13, PH and PN have agreed to form a coalition government dubbed “Perikatan Harapan”.
Muhyiddin will supposedly lead as prime minister for a period of two years from his swearing-in before Anwar takes over and serves until the end of the term. Muhyiddin is also named as the coalition chairman.
As a reward for the loyalty of the parties involved, the MoU claimed that the deputy prime minister posts will each be given to PH and PN, with Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin respectively named.
The agreement will also supposedly see PH and PN each is given 40% of the cabinet positions, with the remaining vacancies to be divided equally among GPS and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah.
It also stated that no criminal investigations or court cases involving top leaders of these parties shall be carried out throughout the parliamentary term, while court cases against Umno leaders must continue.
PH-GPS partnership upholds mandate in peninsular, East M’sia
Separately, Rafizi said with PH and GPS the likeliest parties to obtain a clear mandate in the peninsular and East Malaysia respectively, it is incumbent of the two outfits to respect the wishes of the rakyat and work out the formation of a government.
“I’ve been saying publicly that common sense must prevail. Whatever differences and political baggage of the past must be set aside because the only configuration that can guarantee a stable government is between PH and GPS.
“That configuration upholds the democratic outcome of this election, at least that’s what we expect. Barring any ‘hurricane’, that’s basically where it seems to be heading.”
Rafizi was asked to comment if PH is currently in negotiation with any parties to form the government, with the coalition only expected to win just over 90 parliament seats, short of the 112 simple majority required.
His data analytics company Invoke Solutions Sdn Bhd had released its survey findings yesterday, noting that there were only two likely scenarios to happen after polling, as far as forming the government was concerned.
One involves a similar makeup of the last administration comprising PN, BN, GRS and GPS, while the other will see a PH-GPS partnership.
The report also noted that while the latter is more unlikely to happen due to longstanding friction between GPS and PH component DAP, that the party is only expected to win one seat in Sarawak could alter the situation.
Rafizi said he sees a positive sign when GPS has not publicly turned down the idea of post-election cooperation with PH.
“I’ve been making public statements consistently about this (possible pact), and I’m sure GPS is fully aware.
“Of course, there are unofficial talks here and there, but the indication I get so far across the board is they (GPS) want to wait until after the results.
“Nevertheless, my feeling is that there has not been an outright rejection. In that sense, I consider our overture from us as well as the subtle response from GPS as being quite helpful and positive.” – The Vibes, November 18, 2022
