Once bitten, twice shy: Rafizi explains why Harapan-PN deal won't happen

PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli has ruled out any possibility of a Pakatan Harapan tie-up with Perikatan Nasional for the coming general election.

Rafizi (above) said history has shown that ad hoc pacts with the sole intention of denying BN a victory were not viable.

"We have been victims (of this strategy) before. The rakyat is wiser now. If the intentions are wrong - solely to topple BN but policies and philosophies are different - then the government won't be stable. We will be back to square one.

"We are used to being in the opposition. It is not a problem for us. (For us) it's not just about who is the prime minister or who forms the government.

"The ones who are not used to (being opposition) are those who were suddenly made ministers. They are afraid. We don't have a problem," he said, according to Utusan Malaysia.

Rafizi was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the Ayuh Malaysia roadshow in Paroi, Negeri Sembilan yesterday.

PN chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin

Yesterday, PN chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin told reporters that his coalition did not rule out working with parties or coalitions outside their own.

In 2020, Muhyiddin's party Bersatu withdrew from Harapan to form a new governing coalition.

Meanwhile, Rafizi said the last Harapan presidential council meeting had resolved that it was entering the next election alone.

"If a coalition is only formed for elections, and before this all (those courting us) are only indulging in backstabbing, it gives the public the impression that politicians only want to be ministers.

"Harapan and PKR... have been consistent that all ethnic groups in this country must be engaged to build an honest and efficient government.

"Therefore, we cannot work with (PN) because our directions are too different," he said. - Mkini