The incoming PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has dismissed whispers that there had been backroom discussions on the party working with Umno.
He made his stand clear that Umno could play a role as an effective opposition.
“I believe that Umno needs to be a good opposition…I have not heard of any collaboration (with Umno).
“There has not been any statement or views from any leaders anywhere on that,” he told the New Straits Times.
Anwar believed the rumours must have swirled because he had not taken a hard public stance against Umno since Barisan Nasional’s shocking defeat in the GE14.
Almost immediately after, talk was rife that there were negotiations ongoing with regards to the possibility of new alliances being formed and that it involved Umno.
The rumours heightened after Umno president Datuk Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said in May that he was authorised to negotiate with any parties.
In quashing the rumour, Anwar said: “That was merely a rumour. First of all, I was never aware of it.
“Perhaps it was also because even in my speeches, I am not too hard (on Umno).
“My approach is not to make personal enemies with any political figures in the country. This friendly and peaceful approach may have created this misunderstanding,” Anwar said.