Anwar: Hard to work with Bersatu, Pejuang as grassroots against them

Pakatan Harapan chairperson Anwar Ibrahim said it would be difficult for the coalition to work with fellow opposition party Pejuang or former ally Bersatu in the next general election due to negative grassroots sentiments against those two parties.

“The sentiment from the grassroots is usually negative if there is no explanation. For example, Pejuang made a statement that they will support any party that wins.

“Yes, that is difficult for me (to reconcile to the grassroots),” Anwar (above) said, as reported by state-owned Selangorkini today.

He said seat negotiations among parties should be based on common policies and principles.

“So, I do not want to say we reject any discussion but in terms of opening up a camp, that is another question.

“We need to discuss, that is justified, but not necessarily a cooperation,” Anwar said.

Bersatu was previously a component party of Harapan until it defected in February 2020 during the Sheraton Move.

It went on to form the new Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition as well as a new federal government with PAS and Umno.

There has been a push for the opposition parties to form a “big tent” in order to face the 15th general election (GE15) together, despite some criticisms against the approach.

However, Anwar said he believes the term “big tent” is a confusing one and that he does not want to use the phrase.

“I say we must embrace strength. The core is still PKR, DAP and Amanah in Harapan. This core must be strengthened and stabilised,” he said.

Negotiate and discuss

However, Anwar lamented that his efforts to make peace with other figures who have been “marginalised” are often ruined which in turn leads to tension, anxiety and betrayal.

“As I believe, betrayal would not happen in PKR unless it is supported by a mastermind outside. So we cannot deny that. Sometimes, some of us are even like ‘oh this is fine, it’s okay,’ in the context of denial.

“So that is why we should heed the warning about the big tent. But we also know that in this country’s political system, we need to make an effort to negotiate and discuss (with other parties),” the PKR president said.

Anwar explained that as the opposition leader, he has to be ready to meet and negotiate with Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob on issues that concern the public if needed.

“I am the leader of the opposition, so even though Harapan is the strongest (opposition), there are also other parties in the opposition bloc whom I must call on to discuss so that there is a common understanding on several issues.

“So sometimes there is confusion. There is a difference between Anwar as PKR president, Anwar as Harapan chairperson and Anwar as the opposition leader,” he said.

The Port Dickson MP acknowledged that there needs to be an agreement of sorts so that there is no conflict like what happened in the Johor state polls, which saw multi-cornered fights between several opposition parties.

However, he reiterated that seat negotiations must be based on common principles such as being against corruption and resolving ongoing court cases. - Mkini