New opposition bloc in Selangor?

PAS is keen on making an electoral pact with PKR, PPBM and Ikatan.

(FMT) – Selangor PAS is holding a mega ceramah with PKR and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) to show its commitment to ensuring a straight fight with Barisan Nasional in the coming general election.

DAP and Parti Amanah Negara have not been invited to the event, which will be held at Paya Jaras this evening.

According to the poster announcing the event, the speakers include PKR President Wan Azizah Ismail, PPBM President Muhyiddin Yassin, Parti Ikatan Bangsa Malaysia President Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir and PAS Deputy President Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man.

According to Paya Jaras state assemblyman Khairuddin Othman, Amanah and DAP have not been invited because PAS does not regard the two parties as its allies.

“This ceramah is a sign that Selangor PAS is serious about taking down Umno through a straight fight in the next general election,” he told FMT.

“We didn’t invite DAP or Amanah because the party’s central committee has already stated that we have no relationship with them.

“Anyway, the parties that are coming tomorrow (tonight) are the ones who are aiming for Malay-majority seats, besides Amanah.”

Asked if PAS was hoping to form another opposition bloc, he said, “Yes, at least in Selangor.”

He expressed hope that the same approach would be adopted by the party’s central committee so that three-cornered battles can be avoided in all electoral constituencies in the country, or at least those where the majority of voters are Malays.

“We look forward for the party leaders to make a clear stand on this,” he said. “Generally they have agreed to a one-to-one fight against Umno. But how we plan to go about this is still subject to discussion.”

The ceramah is taking place on the eve of a much anticipated meeting between PPBM and Pakatan Harapan.

Pakatan Chief Secretary Saifuddin Abdullah said last week that the meeting would focus on PPBM’s formal entry into the pact.