Pakatan Rakyat to be a formal alliance before GE13, says Zaid Ibrahim
The Malaysian Insider
July 31, 2009
Pakatan parties will seal pact, says Zaid
By Leslie Lau
Consultant Editor
Pakatan Rakyat (PR) is working towards registering the alliance officially to underline its commitment towards being a viable alternative coalition to the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN), says Datuk Zaid Ibrahim.
The former BN minister, who joined PKR less than two months ago, wrote in his blog yesterday that he was aware of the criticisms levelled at PR parties for not formalising a common platform.
“All the members of Pakatan are ready to serve the public in the name of Pakatan.In fact in all our daily activities we are already acting as members of Pakatan and not just members of PKR, PAS or DAP,” he wrote.
Since joining the federal opposition, Zaid has been given the task of coordinating the activities of the joint PR secretariat. The Malaysian Insider understands the act of formalising the alliance as an official coalition like Barisan Nasional has one major hurdle.
Under the rules of the Registrar of Societies, a political coalition must consist of at least seven parties. This means PR will have to attract more political parties to join its fold before it can be registered. But Zaid appeared confident that this could be achieved.
“The people will be given a real choice in the next elections; there will be one-to-one contests,” he said.
PR leaders are understood to be in talks with several political parties to join the alliance. But there are also ongoing talks between PKR, DAP and PAS to come out with common policies.
“I am aware of many critics who say Pakatan does not have concrete policies or even common policies. People say that because of our different ideologies Pakatan cannot be united like Barisan Nasional.”
He said PR leaders and members were already tired of being in opposition and have proven their abilities to withstand pressure from what he referred to as “dictatorial Barisan Nasional government.”
“They have been tested time and again. They have been jailed, detained under the ISA and their supporters are brave and strong.”
He claimed that Barisan Nasional’s strategy now was to create fissures among PR parties “because they are afraid of one-to-one contests.” While Zaid acknowledged there were weaknesses in the PR alliance, he said the leaders remained committed towards formalising their current arrangement and offering a viable alternative to Barisan Nasional.
This will be good news when it happens. Once formalised, PR will be a real counterweight against UMNO controlled Barisan Nasional. Zaid is given this responsibility as he now takes charge of PR secretariat. He can make it happen with the cooperation of leaders in PKR, PAS and DAP.–Din Merican
dinobeano - July 31, 2009 at 9:20 pm
Just don’t bother to register it with the Registrar of Societies, too much trouble. The MSM will not ‘do the needful’, anyway.
We have got 2-3 years to hammer this into the public conciousness, but only if we can keep the ‘bickering’ out of public sentiment. Perception.
As Bean mentioned, the differences in ideologies need much work – and Zaid’s got to come with a very simple/empirical formula to bridge the divisive stuff, before unveiling to the public.
Over to you, Bean.
Menyalak-er - July 31, 2009 at 11:12 pm
Here is my input to Zaid.
In the last GE, the Siam/ Thai in Kedah voted BN and few of the seat was won by BN simply because of their votes.
Politically, the Siamese in Malaysia have been sleeping and singing old songs ever since their great grandfathers stranded at the Malayan side of the border after the British divided their traditionally borderless world.
They are happy to vote “kapal” and later “dacing” as the alternative is only “the moon” (PAS). PAS is a big taboo. In short, PAS is an Islamic party. Islam is saying no Pork. Siamese is saying no PAS.
Therefore, if Pakatan is offering something else the Siamese will have a better alternative. Forming a caolition is definitely a smart move.
My two cents bill later.
tean - August 1, 2009 at 1:31 am
This drunkard was part of that dictatorial Government and worse still, he was an unelected but appointed member of Pak Lah, the slumberland PM. Didn’t hear he claim it as dictatorial?????
Cinta Damai - August 2, 2009 at 9:05 am