The new bloc is expected to consist of PAS, PKR, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) and Parti Ikatan Bangsa Malaysia (Ikatan).
Amanah communications director Khalid Samad said for the plan to work, PAS would have to make some sacrifices, especially in the allocation of election seats.
“I do not think it can work. For it to work, PAS has to give way to PPBM in the allocation of some seats,” he told FMT, adding that PPBM, like PAS, was also eyeing Malay-majority seats.
“It is also to be noted that while everyone else is working to unite the major opposition parties, PAS is insisting on breaking up the opposition.”
Khalid expressed doubt that PPBM and PKR would be interested in aligning themselves with a coalition that would be led by PAS.
“The two parties will be caught in the middle and that would not be acceptable to PAS,” he said in reference to the ongoing feud between PAS and Amanah.
“They (PAS) can be wishy washy but others must give their complete allegiance to them.”
PPBM and PH are meeting tomorrow afternoon to formalise the former’s entry into the opposition pact.
At the same time, PPBM president Muhyiddin Yassin is working hard to persuade PAS to join the alliance so three-cornered fights can be avoided in the next polls.
PAS, on the other hand, has reiterated time and time again that it will not work with its splinter party Amanah or repeat the mistake of working with DAP.
Selangor PAS assemblyman Khairuddin Othman, however, insisted that the party was committed towards ensuring a straight fight against Barisan Nasional, although how it intended to do that was still unclear.
“For us, it’s simple. We will contest our traditional seats. If Amanah stays away from these seats, then there will be no three-cornered fight,” the PAS man told FMT.
This means that Khalid, who was elected to the Shah Alam parliamentary seat while contesting under the PAS ticket, will have to contest elsewhere, said Khairuddin.
Khalid disagreed and said once Parliament was dissolved, all seats would be up for grabs.
“There are no seats bearing PAS’s name. And if PAS wants to ensure a straight fight, we must meet, discuss and strategise among ourselves, not dictate terms and tell others to stay out of ‘my seats’.
“Those who do not want to meet and discuss are the ones causing the problem and working against straight fights,” he said.
PAS, in its latest snub, omitted DAP and Amanah from an opposition ceramah in Paya Jaras in Selangor this evening.
The Islamist party is hosting leaders of PKR, PPBM and Ikatan who are expected to speak at the event.
Political analyst Khoo Kay Peng when contacted, said the biggest challenge for the new bloc and PH was agreement on seat allocations.
“If they cannot do this, it will affect the opposition’s chances in the 14th general election. Any three-cornered fight will only benefit BN.”