'Big tent' approach only with opposition, not PN - Loke

The ‘big tent’ approach of Pakatan Harapan only refers to those within the opposition bloc, said DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke Siew Fook.

He said the concept was agreed to by coalition members in the Port Dickson Resolution, which refers to decisions made during a retreat attended by Harapan leaders in early April.

The approach does not include working with Perikatan Nasional (PN) as it is already part of the government today, he said.

This comes after Amanah deputy president Salahuddin Ayub earlier urged the Harapan leadership to discuss the ‘big tent’ strategy with PN in view of the 15th general election (GE15).

“That statement is (Salahuddin’s) personal opinion and it has never been decided upon in the Harapan presidential council.

“DAP is of the opinion that the issue of cooperation between Harapan and PN in GE15 does not arise because PN is part of the government of the day.

“The concept of ‘big tent’ as agreed upon in the Port Dickson Resolution refers to cooperation within the opposition bloc,” Loke said in a statement today.

All parties in Harapan should realise how difficult it would be to work with PN again, said the Seremban MP.

This is due to the “bitter history” they experienced with PN’s component parties - Bersatu and PAS, he added.

Loke then urged the Harapan leadership to limit discussion on political cooperation to within the presidential council, instead of through public statements that may confuse their members and supporters.

“All decisions about direction and cooperation outside of the Harapan framework must be decided together by the Harapan presidential council,” he said. - Mkini