Harapan leaders agree PKR-PAS talks none of their business

Despite PAS declaring in May that it was ending all political cooperation with PKR, PKR deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali last week announced another attempt at informal discussions with the Islamist party.

However, Azmin later said the PKR-PAS discussions have nothing to do with Pakatan Harapan, a coalition of four opposition parties that does not include PAS.

In response, PKR’s partners in the coalition have indicated that they, too, want to have nothing to do with PKR's move.

Speaking to Malaysiakini, DAP national publicity secretary Tony Pua said this discussion between PKR and PAS is entirely a PKR initiative.

“As Azmin said, this is entirely PKR’s initiative to continue wooing PAS despite repeated and persistent rejection by the latter.

“However, it remains PKR’s right to do so (negotiate with PAS),” he said.

However, Pua pointed out that even Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) had given up negotiation with PAS months ago, because they recognise the fact that PAS is not going to compromise in any way, particularly with Harapan as a coalition that also comprises DAP and Amanah.

“What’s more, it is clear to most Harapan leaders that PAS, and in particular its president Abdul Hadi Awang, prefers a closer relationship with Umno,” he added.

Pua also believes with the collective leadership of former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Bersatu, PKR and Amanah Malay leaders, Harapan would be able to win over the bulk of the Malay swing voters who had previously voted for PAS.

“Hence the better strategy is to ride on the Harapan momentum, which is clearly increasing, as can be seen by the various desperate responses by BN leaders.

“In fact, PAS has marginalised themselves and was already making themselves irrelevant with their continued dalliance with Umno, unless of course, we decide to make them relevant again,” he said.

‘Bitter experience’ with PAS

PAS is estranged from DAP, having cut off all ties with the party in 2015, which had resulted in the disbandment of Pakatan Rakyat.

It is also antagonistic towards Amanah, which is a PAS splinter party formed following the Islamist party's 2015 muktamar which saw the sound defeat of the progressive faction.

After the death of Pakatan Rakyat, PKR, DAP and Amanah went on to form Harapan, with Bersatu joining the coalition a little later on.

Parti Amanah Negara communications director Khalid Samad told Malaysiakini he does not wish to repeat the mistake that was made during the Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar twin by-elections last year.

However, he insisted he has no issue with PKR negotiating with anyone, as long as the focus now remains on Harapan.

“We had an experience in Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar, where PKR was also trying to negotiate with PAS right down to the last minute and our proposed candidates for both by-elections did not start campaigning until the very last minute, when it was finalised that PAS was not going to compete.

“(It was a) very bitter experience for us, and from our perspective, we should not repeat the same mistake again.

“So I have no qualms about PKR or anybody wanting to negotiate with PAS, but we should not delay the strengthening of Harapan in all the states because of these negotiations.

“We should just carry on,” he said.

Besides, he said, if Harapan were to strengthen its position, it would put the coalition in a position of power if they were to negotiate with PAS in the future.

“They (PAS) are not that strong. They think they are strong, you may have fallen for their propaganda.

“The persons who are negotiating should understand that we are the stronger party,” he said.

‘Talk to grassroots, not leaders’

Bersatu supreme council member Rais Hussin said in a way, Azmin may be right in saying the talks are only between PKR and PAS.

However, at the end of the day, PKR is still a member of Harapan and would need to inform the coalition of any decisions made between PKR and PAS.

“Merchant traders of Islam like PAS is so fixated on being a kingmaker. I cannot see how PKR-PAS will forge a tie.

“It is better to focus on what we have in our coalition and forge ahead by engaging with the people including the grassroots of PAS,” Rais told Malaysiakiniyesterday.

DAP central committee member Liew Chin Tong echoed Rais, saying it is more important to appeal to PAS grassroots than to engage with the Islamist party’s leadership.

“What is needed is not to work with PAS, but to convince PAS’ rank-and-file to join the fight against Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s kleptocratic rule,” he told Malaysiakini in a WhatsApp message last night.

“If he (Azmin) wants to waste time on it, let it be. We, Harapan, proceed with what has to be done,” he added.

These “informal talks” between PKR and PAS has also appeared to create rifts within the party, with PKR leader William Leong tendering his resignation from the party’s political bureau last week.

Leong said he cannot stand by his party’s decision to continue discussions with PAS.

Meanwhile, in Kelantan, PKR grassroots were reportedly collecting signatures in a bid to oust the party’s state chief Ab Aziz Ab Kadir and state Youth chief Hafidz Rizal Amran, both of whom are seen to be close to PAS.

Slowing Harapan, PKR down

This raises the question if PKR’s latest decision on PAS would negatively affect Harapan.

Pua believes that PKR’s continued “dalliance” with PAS will definitely set Harapan back in election and electoral preparations.

“Instead of working together with the other Harapan parties to win over support from BN and PAS’ wavering support base, it is clear that PKR will pull its handbrakes whenever PAS seats are involved.

“The longer PKR refuses to commit itself fully with Harapan, the weaker the coalition will be.

“This is especially so for its coalition partners, which would be taking on PAS seats, particularly Bersatu and Amanah,” he said.

Khalid’s story of Amanah’s “bitter experience” at the Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar twin by-elections last year resonated with Pua’s take on the situation.

“That (Amanah’s experience of having to delay at the twin by-elections) was at the request of PKR, because they were very confident they could get PAS to agree, like how they are now confident they can get PAS to agree.

“But you are going to be bitten again. From our perspective, you are making the same mistakes as Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar,” he said.

But for Liew, this PKR-PAS talks will affect no one in Harapan but PKR.

“Actually, it just drags PKR (down). Others in Harapan are clear that the line is drawn (between pro-Najib and anti-Najib camps).

“It will just hurt PKR’s credibility. The rest are clear about the scenario,” he told Malaysiakini on WhatsApp last night.

Get over PAS, move on

Additionally, Rais said it is time for everyone in Harapan, including PKR, to focus on building what they already have, instead of thinking that they need PAS.

“(We need to) recalibrate our thinking that without PAS, we cannot do it.

“I think it is just about time for Harapan and its coalition members to stop talking to PAS and let them be in their own world of being a kingmaker,” he said.

While Rais conceded that the PKR-PAS talks would “put a spanner” in Harapan’s abilities to push forward cohesively, he said the rest in the coalition remain united in their common goals.

“Be that as it may, the rest in the coalition are working cohesively and joyfully as we are dictated by the passion to liberate this nation and people from the kleptomaniacs,” he said. Mkini