PKR accepts PAS because of reform agenda, says Nurul Izzah

PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar speaks to reporters after a meeting with the Ministry of Health in Putrajaya, saying that there was a need to have a more inclusive outlook when it comes to fighting against Barisan Nasional and the Umno regime. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, September 10, 2015.

PKR today defended its stance in wanting to cooperate with PAS, despite DAP’s skepticism, adding that it welcomes any political partner that believes in the agenda of reform.

Party vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar said there was a need to have a more inclusive outlook when it comes to fighting against Barisan Nasional and Umno.

She said that such has always been the party’s stance and it was never about party president Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail or deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali’s personal positions on the issue.

She added that the agenda of reform also covers the possibility of working with former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, with the aim to press Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to step down.

“If we were to take into consideration personal anger and bitterness, certainly it’s going to be difficult to manage the different challenges because at the end of the day, for me, it is important to exercise the maximum degree of inclusiveness so long as everyone is committed to the agenda of reform.

“We also have to think about the need to unite any force, including Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad who came to Bersih 4 rally twice,” she told reporters in Putrajaya.

Nurul Izzah was responding to DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng’s statement that Azmin needed to explain to supporters of the opposition why the party decided to continue its cooperation with PAS.

Azmin had previously said that PKR wanted PAS to be a part of the new opposition coalition, despite objections from DAP.

He said PKR arrived at the decision after discussing the matter thoroughly, adding that the party accepted anyone committed to reforms, including the Islamist party.

The statement was later criticised by Lim, who is also the Penang chief minister, as he said that PAS has become more like DAP’s foe these days, adding that the latter’s stand is clear in not wanting to work with the Islamist party.

Nurul Izzah said the need for inclusiveness had been proven when the now defunct Pakatan Rakyat succeeded in garnering up to 52% of public support during the 13th general election.

On Lim’s point that PAS had ignored Bersih 4 and 1MDB issue, Izzah said that PAS deputy president Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man continued to highlight and criticise corruption issues in Najib’s administration, including those surrounding 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

“I’m very appreciative of Tuan Ibrahim’s consistent statement on the matter,” she said and thanked PAS vice-president Idris Ahmad for attending the recent Bersih 4 rally.

Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) committee member Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad yesterday said the party was willing to accept PAS in a new opposition coalition despite the Islamist party appearing to want to go alone. – September 10, 2015.

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