'Red line': Malacca DAP rules out Harapan-Bersatu pact for state polls

 

The growing rift between Pakatan Harapan and Umno has fuelled speculation that Harapan could revive ties with Bersatu ahead of the Malacca state election.

The speculation intensified after Malacca PKR acting chief Adam Adli Abdul Halim attended a dinner (below) organised by Bersatu in the state recently.

However, a key Harapan component leader has dismissed the possibility of the coalition working with Bersatu again in the upcoming state polls.

“As politicians, we are always open to discussions, meaning we can cooperate with other political forces.

“However, there must be a red line on who we can cooperate with. We should not cross this red line,” said Malacca DAP chairperson Khoo Poay Tiong during a KiniTV podcast aired this afternoon.

The latest episode of the “Explain Sikit, Kini” podcast featured Khoo as well as veteran journalist and political commentator Fathi Aris Omar as guest panellists discussing the political landscape ahead of the Malacca election.

Khoo, who is also the Kota Melaka MP, was asked to comment on rumours that Harapan was considering a political pact with Bersatu.

The two sides have a fraught history dating back to the 2020 Sheraton Move, when Bersatu leaders withdrew their support for the then Harapan-led federal government, triggering its collapse.

Khoo said Malacca DAP had also been invited to the Bersatu dinner, held at a hotel along Jalan Hang Tuah on Monday, but decided “not to get involved”.

“I still cannot accept cooperation with Bersatu,” he added.

Vote gains should guide alliance decisions

Fathi, meanwhile, said it might not be tactically wise for Harapan to renew ties with Bersatu at this point.

He said past grievances were less important to political parties than whether a particular alliance could help them win votes.

Fathi (above, right) pointed out that political parties, including Harapan, had previously set aside their differences in pursuit of electoral gains, as seen in the run-up to the 2018 general election.

However, he said Harapan’s cooperation with former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin was significant because both veteran politicians brought their own support bases to the coalition.

“What I mean is, Harapan now has to think about how it can get more votes in the upcoming Malacca polls and the 16th general election.

“If (cooperation with Bersatu) does not help Harapan get more votes, then it would only reopen an old wound without any benefit in return,” Fathi said.

Khoo opined that the chances of Harapan and BN mending their strained relationship were now very slim.

He said it would be almost impossible for the two coalitions to work together after the insults Umno had hurled at Harapan and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who is also the coalition’s chairperson.

- Mkini