Anwar to invite other opposition parties to join or work with PH

 

Pakatan Harapan says Anwar Ibrahim is planning on strengthening the opposition bloc by inviting leaders of other opposition parties to work with the coalition. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: PKR president Anwar Ibrahim will be meeting the leaders of other opposition parties to invite them to join or work with Pakatan Harapan.

In a statement, PH’s presidential council said this was in line with the coalition’s “big tent” concept in reinforcing the opposition bloc, which currently comprises 105 MPs.

It said Anwar, the opposition leader, will also discuss current political issues with the party leaders as they prepare for Parliament’s reconvening on Sept 6.

Among the matters on the agenda for the sitting is the vote of confidence in Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob and filling the deputy speaker’s post vacated by Pengerang MP Azalina Othman Said.

“PH’s focus is on becoming an effective opposition that conveys criticisms, recommendations and views that are constructive and responsible, while tabling alternative proposals suitable with government policies,” it said.

The coalition also said it would consider Ismail’s invitation to join the National Recovery Council and Covid-19 task force as it wanted to ensure this offer was made sincerely to manage the pandemic and economic downturn.

PH’s announcement comes just a day after three lawmakers from the coalition urged it to officially invite other opposition parties like Warisan, MUDA, Pejuang, Upko and PSB to join the pact.

Noting that Anwar’s 105 votes by MPs had been insufficient for him to replace Muhyiddin Yassin as prime minister, the trio said PH needed to maintain and strengthen the support it had garnered from other opposition parties.

The joint statement was signed by PKR’s Petaling Jaya MP Maria Chin Abdullah, DAP’s Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh and senator Raj Munni Sabu, the Wanita PH deputy chief. - FMT