PKR will still engage PAS despite objections from DAP

PKR said it would still engage PAS, despite DAP’s strong objection to the Islamist party being included in the new opposition coalition.

PKR deputy president Azmin Ali said the party was “very inclusive” from the beginning and roping in PAS in their talks was just a process.

“We are open to all individuals, we are meeting all parties, including DAP, Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah), and the president said she will meet with PAS.

“It is a process,” the Selangor Mentri Besar told a press conference here, Friday.

He said no party in the coalition can decide unilaterally, but denied when asked if he was referring to DAP.

“We must put aside our differences. We are facing a major crisis,” he said.

PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, meanwhile said, the people should give them time to iron out issues between them.

“Besides, nothing is official yet. We have the same objective and we are open to everyone,” she said.

According to reports, PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang had rejected any offers to join the new coalition, saying that the coalition’s sole objective is to take over Putrajaya, and not to uphold any Islamic agenda.

But Dr Wan Azizah said the party would open its doors to any party that shares common ground.

“Give us time to work it out. We welcome everyone, including the members of PAS, even the Sabah and Sarawak people to come onboard,” she said.

Former PAS MP, Khalid Samad, who is now with Amanah said they could not deny the strength that PAS has.

“Every support matters to us to ensure that Barisan Nasional no longer governs the country,” he said.

PKR has been put in a spot by DAP, when Azmin insisted on working with the Islamist party although Hadi openly rejected to the notion.

Bukit Gelugor DAP MP Ramkarpal Singh that Azmin must decide if he would rather work with either PAS or DAP since the relationship between both parties was not “irreconcilable”.

He said there could be no question of working with both DAP and PAS at the same time as common sense dictates there no longer exists a working relationship between the two.

Azmin had also engaged in a war of words with DAP assistant publicity secretary Teo Nie Ching on Twitter over his decision to work with PAS.

It is believed that PKR insists on working with PAS as it has strong grassroots support from the Malay voters.