The Malaysian Insight

OPPOSITION coalition Pakatan Harapan is ready to help the government steer the country out of the Covid-19 pandemic and restore the economy, its leaders said.

Pakatan’s vice-president Salahuddin Ayub said that at the same time, they will continue to strengthen the coalition under its “Big Tent” approach in the lead-up to the 15th general election.

“We will strengthen Pakatan and help the people and the country overcome the epidemic and improve the economy,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

“Our objectives are clear. GE15 can be held at any time. We will forge ahead despite the worsening economy and the ongoing epidemic.

“We will play our part and help as best we can on these two issues.”

The Amanah deputy president said Pakatan’s goal now is to ensure the coalition goes into GE15 as strong as it was in the last election.

“We want to ensure that it will no longer be a ‘numbers game’. Our aim is to strengthen Pakatan under the ‘Big Tent’ approach to face GE15. This is clear. We want to stop excessive  politicking.

“The people must understand that since March 2020, we have tried our best to return the people’s mandate and return Pakatan to power.

“We have failed to do so because of continuous betrayal, but it is still our responsibility to fulfil going forward and to focus on GE15,” he said.

PKR communication director Fahmi Fadzil, however, said any cooperation with the government is only limited to overcoming the epidemic and ensuring political stability.

“Any cooperation now does not mean we are joining the government. Rather, it is to calm the political situation, ensure political stability and focus on combating the pandemic.

“Pakatan’s focus in the short term is to jointly tackle Covid-19, revive the economy and ensure that the people’s welfare is taken care of,” the Lembah Pantai MP said.

Fahmi added that Pakatan will never abandon its duties to act as a check-and-balance mechanism against the government.

“We will not abandon our duties and responsibilities. The opposition is loyal to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in carrying out its parliamentary duties.

“Pakatan leaders will be having discussions to focus on people-centric programmes and the reformation agenda, both inside and outside Parliament.

“Pakatan will continue to strengthen the opposition bloc and has just accepted UPKO from Sabah in preparation for GE15.”

On August 25, the leaders of the three Pakatan Harapan parties met Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob to discuss working together to save the country.

Political analysts, meanwhile, said the cooperation between the opposition and the government, at the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s urging, will improve the country’s situation.

University Malaya political analyst Awang Azman Awang Pawi said the essence of the cooperation between the two sides lie in matters of governance, parliamentary institutions, the pandemic and national fiscal policy.

“This is not for the benefit of the opposition but for the country, democracy, good governance and the people.

“It will have a positive impact on the governance of the country. This is in the interest of the people and the country.

“This cooperation is also in line with the Agong’s advice. It is because of the Agong’s call, not the initiative of prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob or the opposition,” he said.

Ahmad Martadha, a political analyst at University Utara Malaysia (UUM), said that if Pakatan agrees to work with the government, it will give them a positive image.

“The cooperation will not diminish Pakatan’s image. Instead, it will show that it is mature.

“They have also listened to the king’s call. This will reflect well on the opposition,” he said.

He, however, said the opposition needs to have serious discussion among its component parties on the type of cooperation they can provide to the government.

“Whatever political strategy they want to implement, it cannot wait until Parliament is dissolved and a general election is called,” he said.

Ilham Centre executive director Hisomuddin Bakar said Pakatan should focus on winning the upcoming general election.

“The moment to prove that they have majority support has passed. Now they need to focus on the GE and the seat distribution among its component parties.

“Whether to remain as Pakatan or under the ‘Big Tent’, if it can reach an agreement with other opposition parties and form Pakatan Plus, that will be the best move,” he said. – September 1, 2021.