Look past BN if Umno cosies up to PN, PKR leader tells PH

Pakatan Harapan (PH) should look beyond Barisan Nasional (BN) if Umno strengthens its ties with Perikatan Nasional (PN), says a PKR leader.

PKR central leadership council member R Yuneswaran said PH should consider working with other parties that share its commitment to reform, democracy, good governance and national interests.

He said PH should explore political cooperation beyond narrow racial and religious politics and focus more on performance.

“Expanding cooperation does not mean abandoning PH’s principles. On the contrary, it can strengthen those principles by building a wider coalition of parties committed to reform, stability and progress,” Yuneswaran told FMT.

He was commenting on remarks by Amanah secretary-general Faiz Fadzil who said PH needed to expand the “big tent” concept by seeking new political partners if there were changes in the political relationship between Umno and PN.

Yuneswaran, who is also deputy unity minister, said PH should be ready for any outcome if BN decided to work with other parties.

He said PH’s political framework should reflect Malaysia’s diversity and bring together people from different communities, regions and political traditions.

“Therefore, PH should be prepared to engage political parties that believe in moderation, reform, inclusiveness and responsible governance, and are willing to move beyond divisive racial and religious politics,” he said.

Yuneswaran’s comments come amid speculation of closer ties between PAS and BN.

BN and PH, along with several other parties, formed the unity government after the 15th general election resulted in a hung Parliament, while PN became the opposition.

BN and PH worked together in six state elections in 2023, as well as subsequent by-elections.

However, BN went solo in the Johor state election on July 11 and reached an understanding with PN in the Aug 1 Negeri Sembilan election.

Subscribe to our newsletter and get news delivered to your mailbox.