This comes after a Malay Mail Online report quoted PSM chairman Dr Nasir Hashim as saying that the party will contest on its own ticket in GE14, rather than that of another party as it had done in previous elections.

Nasir said PSM’s use of other parties’ logos had only resulted in “broken promises” on seat arrangements.

He also confirmed that PH had not approached PSM for seat negotiations, adding that his party had been “backstabbed” in past elections and was usually approached only at the “last minute” by the other opposition parties.

Nasir said PSM was contesting more seats in the general election, and that these were determined based on a minimum of five years’ work by the party’s candidates in those areas.

Speaking to FMT, however, the PSM chairman said it was never too late for PH to decide to open negotiations with his party.

“If there are talks on an electoral pact then we would certainly consider it,” he said.

“The problem is that PH has yet to approach PSM on any such negotiations.

“There was no communication with the party early on, and now that we are closing in on GE14, there is still no communication. But we are not begging for anything.

“If there is no electoral pact, then we will contest where we feel we should, whether we win or lose, and we will find out our strengths and weaknesses and we will grow again.”

He said PSM realised that its resources were limited compared to PH’s component parties but warned the coalition against underestimating it.

“We are not that great, but don’t mistreat us. We’ve been around for a long time and we have done a lot more work with the people on the ground.

“At the end of the day, elections come and go. What is important is to find a way to empower the people so that they choose the right leaders. The only way to do that is to be with them and to work with them, and that’s what PSM does.”

When asked whether PSM would consider contesting under a PH logo if all its component parties would do the same and abandon their respective party logos, Nasir said that would require discussion among party members.

“Right now, it does not look like that will ever happen and to talk about it would just be speculating.

“But if that were to be something PH brings up with us, then it’s at least worth considering after talks with our own party members.”