KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 7 — PKR deputy president Azmin Ali has insisted that PAS be allowed to join the new federal opposition pact although the first alliance had crumbled due to the Islamist party’s fallout with DAP.
In a report by Malay daily Sinar Harian, the Selangor mentri besar said joining forces with PAS is in line with PKR’s stand as stipulated by president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail herself.
“And if there is any party, including PAS, that continues to be committed to Pakatan Rakyat’s common agenda, then of course we will work together with PAS and any political parties that share these policies.
“This has been said many times,” Azmin told reporters.
Last week, PAS splinter Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) said it rejects the inclusion of PAS in forming a new opposition coalition, following a statement made by PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim implying so.
On behalf of Amanah, founding member Mohamed Hanipa Maidin said that from their experience in PAS, it was clear that leaders in the latter party had no sincere appreciation for the political cooperation with DAP and PKR.
Amanah was made an official political party on August 31. It was founded by PAS splinter group Harapan Baru (HB) and made up of former progressive PAS leaders who were ousted from their party posts during the internal party elections earlier this year.
Through his lawyers, Anwar had released a statement to the press expressing encouragement for the party’s formation, saying that, “Amanah will further strengthen the national opposition, together with KEADILAN, PAS, DAP; and we will expand this cooperation to other committed NGOs which share our common objectives.”
Amanah, which was established by HB’s taking over of previously dormant Malaysian Workers’ Party, aims to secure 35,000 members by next month.
Its members claim that they are intent on presenting a more universal and inclusive form of Islam in Malaysian politics as a counterpoint to their former party’s conservative take on the religion.
