Dr Mahathir: We will put a stop to PAS-PKR negotiations

The Pakatan Harapan chairman says there is no way the pact can accept PAS into the grouping.

(PKR) – Pakatan Harapan chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad today said it will put a stop to PAS-PKR negotiations.

He said as a coalition, it had decided not to work with PAS, as there was no way the pact could accept the Islamist party into the grouping.

Speaking at a town hall meeting here today, Mahathir explained that if PH were to accept PAS into the grouping, the seats would have to be split among five parties.

He said PAS will then insist it be given all seats it had contested before, which comes up to 60.

“If they take all of that, what is left for Amanah and us (PPBM), which has only one seat, that is Pagoh?

“We have decided as a group to have no more dealings with PAS.

“The statement by PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim is that it was he who urged them to try and talk with old friends.

“We will put a stop to that. I hope we can do that,” he said in response to a question from the floor that PKR was sending mixed messages on the negotiations and confusing the general electorate.

Mahathir admitted the pact had a bit of a problem with PKR, with Anwar openly saying it should cooperate with PAS.

At its meeting on Aug 28, the PH presidential council had decided that the coalition would not cooperate with PAS but would concentrate on preparing a strategy to manage the expected three-cornered battles.

The meeting was also attended by Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who is president of both PH and PKR.

PKR deputy president Azmin Ali said on Aug 31 that the party respected the council’s decision and would comply with it.

Azmin later said he felt vindicated by Anwar’s backing for PAS-PKR talks.