Perikatan and Pakatan explore possible partners

PETALING JAYA: A flurry of meetings was held by political coalitions, believed to be in search of possible post-election cooperation.

With no indication of a clear winner at 3am press time, it is learnt that Perikatan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan held separate meetings to study the possibilities.

Perikatan top leaders are said to have convened a meeting at a hotel in Shah Alam to discuss which coalition they should cooperate with in order to form the next government, according to a party source.

The party source said Perikatan is most likely to cooperate with Barisan Nasional after GE15 concludes.

“We are not keen to deal with Pakatan. There is a meeting being held as we speak. So, the bosses will decide,” said the source.

According to the source, cooperation with Barisan is subject to several terms and conditions.

“We have a list of demands and one of them is that (Barisan chief and Umno president) Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi must step down immediately. Only then (will) we talk,” said the source briefly.

Over in Subang, Pakatan leaders are said to have also held a meeting to look into possible post-electoral cooperation with other coalitions to form the next government.

“There are several options on the table. It won’t be easy, as we enter uncharted territory,” said the source.

Meanwhile, Umno has called for two emergency meetings today and top of the agenda is believed to be the way forward for the party following the outcome of the general election.

It is learnt that a message had been sent to party leaders to inform them that the Umno political bureau will hold a meeting at noon.

This will be followed by a special supreme council meeting to be held at 3pm at Menara Datuk Onn.

Earlier, Barisan had hinted at its willingness to form a stable government, with its chairman saying that the coalition was ready to put aside prior differing sentiments.

“Barisan is committed to contributing to the formation of a stable government,” he said in a statement.

He also said the coalition remained committed to assuring good relations between states in the peninsula and Sabah and Sarawak.

Ahmad Zahid said the coalition accepted and respected the voice of the people which was done through the ballot box.