Pakatan Harapan urged to build a ‘big tent’ with other parties

Pakatan Harapan should stop relying on its own parties alone and build what Amanah calls a “big tent” before Malaysia’s 16th general election, according to Amanah mobilization director Abbas Azmi.

Abbas said PH should open cooperation to political parties that share its principles. The aim, he said, would be to combine the strengths of different parties and build a stable, strong government rather than make an election victory depend on any single party.

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We cannot win alone.

He named Bersatu, Muda, the Malaysian Socialist Party and other smaller parties as potential partners. “We cannot win alone,” he said, pointing to Barisan Nasional’s earlier cooperation with MCA, MIC, Gerakan and other parties as evidence that alliances have long been part of Malaysian politics.

Abbas cited PH’s first period as an example, saying its cooperation with Bersatu helped produce a major victory in Selangor. In the most recent state election, he said, cooperation with BN led Amanah to contest fewer seats to give its coalition partner room.

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If there is a party that understands PH’s concept and goals and wants to work together to build strength, why not?

He said PH’s cooperation with BN since the 15th general election had brought benefits, but recent political developments had raised questions about where the relationship was heading. PH had initially worked well with BN in Selangor and allowed UMNO to contest several seats, which UMNO won. But unofficial BN cooperation with PN in state elections in Johor and Negeri Sembilan, along with other developments, had hurt PH supporters, Abbas said.

He described it as strange for a government party to cooperate with an opposition party and warned that such uncertainty could affect political stability, the economy and administration. The article ends while Abbas is discussing the potential added value of cooperation with Bersatu.

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It is rather strange for a government party to cooperate with an opposition party.