‘TOO EARLY FOR PKR-UMNO PACT’
Anwar: There were initial talks with Umno and I didn’t rule out possibility of cooperation
PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday downplayed talk of a political cooperation between the party and arch-rivals Umno.
The opposition chief said it was still “too early” to determine whether a possible cooperation would be forged.
“I had said there were early discussions with Umno and did not rule out such a possibility.
“However, it is too early to say that there is such cooperation. I have explained this to grassroots leaders during the discussion, to be conveyed to party members,” he said during a press conference here yesterday.
Anwar, in an interview with Mingguan Malaysia recently, had claimed that informal discussions had taken place between the Umno and PKR leadership over a possible cooperation for the 15th General Election.
In the article, he described the discussions as a “positive development”.
PKR’s allies, DAP and Amanah, had previously expressed vehement opposition to a collaboration with Umno, which has since fuelled rumours of tension within Pakatan Harapan (PH).
Meanwhile, Anwar said he was seeking a meeting with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to discuss claims that some opposition politicians were “intimidated” into leaving the opposition coalition.
He said that in a recent meeting with members of parliament from PKR, some politicians alleged that they were threatened, intimidated or enticed with offers to cross over.
“Some also claimed that they were offered some kind of remuneration. I will write to MACC Chief Commissioner Datuk Seri Azam Baki tomorrow (today) to call for a meeting to seek an explanation on this,” he said.
He said among the MPs were M. Karupaiya (Padang Serai), Kesavan Subramaniam (Sungai Siput) and Sekijang MP Natrah Ismail.
Natrah has since lodged a report on the matter.
“During the discussion I had with 36 PKR MPs, menteris besar and chief ministers, concerns were raised on the administration and agencies such as the police, MACC and Inland Revenue Board being used as political weapons to intimidate politicians.
“We reject any form of corruption and abuse of power, including intimidation on politicians in getting them to leave the party,” he said.
Anwar ’s claim comes on the heel of a number of opposition leaders quitting their parties, with the latest being PKR vicepresident Datuk Dr A. Xavier Jayakumar.
Anwar also questioned Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) ability to command the majority in Parliament.
“Even with three more MPs (who recently left their parties), even with six MPs, PN does not have enough to gain the 110 (MPs) majority needed.”