Grand coalition or straight fights needed in GE15, says Amanah

(FMT) – Amanah vice-president Mahfuz Omar has advised the opposition to come to an agreement if they wish to retain their 108 seats, following clashes between the parties about forming a “grand coalition” before the 15th general election.

He said that if the opposition decides not to form the coalition, they would need to ensure that all parties do not contest against each other in the 108 seats.

“If there are clashes in the 108 seats, will it be possible for us to defend them?” he asked at the launch of Amanah’s women’s wing convention in Melaka.

Mahfuz appealed to all opposition parties to have a “heart-to-heart” discussion, adding that all parties must plan strategies to retain their existing seats and to increase support in the Dewan Rakyat.

Angkatan Wanita Amanah Nasional (AWAN) similarly urged Pakatan Harapan (PH), currently consisting of Amanah, DAP and PKR, to accept a “great grand coalition” for GE15.

Speaking at the convention today, AWAN chief Aiman Athirah Al Jundi urged PH to quickly carry out a reshuffling exercise involving the coalition‘s composition, election candidates and their policies to win back voters’ confidence.

She stressed they needed to be more careful on the issue of fielding candidates for the election because “PH must present a new line of leadership with a fresh image that will not be burdened by the past”.

“The new leadership for the next generation must be sincere and open to realising new ideologies.”

She also asked PH to come up with a policy and manifesto acceptable to all.

Speaking on Amanah’s preparations, Aiman Athirah said the party will be carrying out a shortlisting process before choosing their candidates to avoid any likelihood of party-hopping in the future.

She added that the women’s wing had already identified many potential candidates for GE15.