This follows Pakatan’s meeting in April where it stated its willingness to negotiate, cooperate and mobilise their strength under one “big tent” to bolster the opposition block.
Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is expected to meet all party leaders from the opposition bench to invite them to either join or cooperate with the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition.
In a joint statement today with Parti Amanah Negara president Mohamad Sabu and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, Anwar said this was in line with a decision that was taken during the coalition’s meeting in Port Dickson in April.
In April, PH stated its willingness to negotiate, cooperate and mobilise their strength under one “big tent” to bolster the opposition block that comprises 105 members of parliament (MPs).
The opposition leader will also discuss current political issues with the party leaders as they prepare for Parliament’s reconvening on Sept 6.
Among the matters on the agenda for the sitting is the vote of confidence for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and filling the deputy speaker’s post vacated by Pengerang MP Datuk Sero Azalina Othman Said.
“PH’s focus is on becoming an effective opposition that conveys criticisms, recommendations and views that are constructive and responsible, while tabling alternative proposals suitable with government policies,” it said.
The coalition also said it would consider Ismail’s invitation to join the national recovery council and Covid-19 special task force as it wanted to ensure this offer was made sincerely to manage the pandemic and economic downturn.
“PH will focus on becoming a more effective opposition that will put forward constructive and responsible criticisms, advice, and views, besides presenting alternative suggestions to the government’s policies to tackle Covid-19, revive the economy and to save lives and livelihoods.
“PH will prioritise institutional reforms including parliamentary reforms, fiscal reforms, legal reforms including Undi 18 and (to legislate) an anti-party hopping Act, improvising the National Recovery Plan, and to assert judicial independence that must not be disrupted by any parties,” read the statement that was posted by Anwar on Twitter.
PH’s announcement comes just a day after three lawmakers from the coalition urged it to officially invite other opposition parties like Warisan, MUDA, Pejuang, Upko and PSB to join the pact.
The joint statement was signed by PKR’s Petaling Jaya MP Maria Chin Abdullah, DAP’s Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh and senator Raj Munni Sabu, the Wanita PH deputy chief.
The bid to unite the opposition follows Anwar’s failed attempt to become prime minister after the opposition could only muster up 105 MPs.
Parti Sarawak Bersatu has rejected the offer to join Harapan – wanting to stay independent.
Meanwhile, Sabah’s Warisan would likely want its president Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal to lead the opposition instead.
As for Pejuang, it plans to contest 120 Parliament seats in the next election, which may put it into conflict with Harapan.