After a dismal showing at the recent Johor state election, Pakatan Harapan says it is re-strategising to face the impending 15th General Election (GE15).
The coalition said it had taken into account its weaknesses in the March 12 state election, including the lack of coordination and communication among parties, the use of logos and other issues which left it with only 12 seats in the 56-seat legislative assembly.
“We will rectify these weaknesses, while acknowledging that it will not be enough for only one party to work on it but the coalition as a whole,” the Pakatan presidential council said in a statement Wednesday (March 16).
“Harapan will strive to overcome these weaknesses and immediately re-strategise for the 15th general election.
“These weaknesses cannot be overcome by a single party or effort but needs to be done together holistically.
“Therefore, a number of measures will be carried out, including a convention and retreat among Harapan leaders to revive the idealism of Harapan and its supporters’ struggle and to discuss the preparations for the 15th general election,” they said.
The council said the coalition will harness all its strength in the fight against corruption and build a strong rapport among Opposition parties to deny Barisan Nasional victory in GE15. It will cooperate with existing opposition parties to face BN in the next general election.
“The council also will push for the Anti Party-Hopping Bill to be tabled and passed in Parliament as promised by the Prime Minister, and will seek a meeting with him on the matter in the near future,” it added.
The opposition would have triumphed in the Johor polls if it had been united and contested under a single banner.
Official election results showed that BN would have lost 17 seats if not for the split in opposition votes caused by opposition parties and PN contesting against each other.