Pakatan Harapan (PH) is open to cooperating with any politicians, including former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who subscribe to the coalition’s principles, said PH chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Anwar, who is also PKR president, said anyone invited to work with PH should not bring along his personal agenda or any baggage.
“It’s up to PH (to invite Dr Mahathir to join PH). We can invite anyone, but they must subscribe to PH’s principles,” he told reporters after a book launch event today.
He said this when asked whether PH’s plan to create a grand opposition coalition would involve Dr Mahathir and other parties.
Dr Mahathir was formerly PH chairman when Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) which he then headed was part of the coalition. Dr Mahathir is no longer with Bersatu, which has also left PH.
Anwar said that whoever claims to have an interest in becoming prime minister must be firmly committed to reform for good governance and be prepared to fight graft.
“It’s not about protecting your family and your cronies and enriching them in the name of change or people’s mandate.
“(When) there was space and opportunity for us to rule, we attacked corrupt groups but closed our eyes to the wasteful ways, excesses and greed of our friends until it led to betrayals. Or took steps that did not show our ability in addressing the problem of poverty or economic disparity.
“This is the basic issue we should tackle. Can the changes we proposed give confidence to the people that we are more serious to resolve the problem of driving the economy, ensuring justice for the people and overcoming poverty?” he said.