PETALING JAYA: PKR grassroots have been told to work hand-in-hand with their former rivals in Barisan Nasional once campaigning officially begins for the upcoming state polls, say party sources.
They said this was the main message conveyed during the special briefing in Putrajaya yesterday involving top leaders, including party president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
A state party leader who was at the meeting said PKR and its partners in Pakatan Harapan are aiming to capture 51 out of 56 seats in Selangor.
“Anwar told party operatives from the division, Youth, Wanita and Srikandi that they must start contacting Barisan’s machinery and get going.
“Those who have done so should start working closely together and strengthen their cooperation,” said another source, who attended the briefing.
Anwar’s message comes at a time when some party members are still wary about cooperating with Barisan, a coalition that has been their political rivals ever since PKR was formed in 1999 during the Reformasi era.After more than two decades of enmity, PKR, along with its partners in Pakatan, were forced to work together with Barisan to form the unity government after the 15th General Election.
Pakatan and Barisan will be allies in six state elections – Selangor, Penang, Negri Sembilan, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu – that are expected to be held in early August.
Another party source said the level of acceptance towards Barisan varies among PKR leaders and members depending on their background.
“Some older leaders and members used to be Umno members, so they may not feel awkward working with Umno and Barisan,” said the source, who also has ties to Umno members.
“But for many of our activists, PKR is their only political party, and they still have memories of how Barisan mistreated Pakatan when we were in the Opposition. So the president’s message is that it is time to put aside our differences with the looming state polls.”
The meeting saw the president giving a briefing to some 50 leaders including the party’s wing heads, MPs and former state legislators.
The source said the meeting did not discuss ongoing seat negotiations between Pakatan and Barisan as the last stage of such talks have been left to the Pakatan presidential council.
When approached after the meeting, Anwar told reporters that it was “just a normal meeting and briefing”. The Prime Minister also said the meeting was to keep abreast with current political developments.
