Azmin seeks ‘grand coalition’ to take on BN in next GE
(MMO) – Pakatan Harapan welcomes all political parties that shares its reform agenda and hopes they can form a “grand coalition” to take on the Barisan Nasional (BN) at the next general elections, Datuk Seri Azmin Ali said today.
The PKR deputy president added that the three-party pact is willing to work with any individual or party, including former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, if they can defeat the ruling BN.
“We always take a position of being inclusive provided that any political party or individual must commit to the reform agenda.
“If the new party outlines a very clear objective of forming the party and it is in line with our policies, we are certainly more than happy to welcome them to be part of Pakatan Harapan,” the Selangor mentri besar told reporters at the sidelines of the Selangor state assembly here.
“I think if we go along those lines, we should be able to form a grand coalition which is formidable and united to face BN,” he said.
Azmin also did not rule out the possibility of former Pakatan Rakyat partner PAS ― which cut off ties with DAP ― from being part of the grand coalition, but said the matter would be discussed with its Pakatan Harapan partners beforehand.
“I’ve said that we welcome all political parties because our enemy is Umno and BN. Other political parties, civil societies and individuals, we come go back to the drawing board and see how we can work together. We must be based on common policy and framework,” he added.
He said differences of opinion among such coalition partners would be “unavoidable”, emphasised that focus should be placed on their common agenda for the political parties to move forward and “save” Malaysia.
Azmin said it is necessary for Pakatan Harapan to increase its influence in any way possible ahead of the next general elections, which must be called by 2018.
“We have to expand our base also. We need to be more inclusive to prepare for the 14th general elections,” he said.
Dr Mahathir was formerly Umno president during his 22 year leadership of the country that ended with his resignation from office in 2003 and has since criticised the administration of Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, his handpicked successor, and the government of incumbent Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
The 91-year old who quit Umno earlier this year announced on July 14 a plan to set up a new political party to contest against Umno in the next general elections due by 2018.
Details on the party, which does not yet have a name, have been sparse, fuelling much speculation as to its leadership and alliances
