In facing Barisan Nasional in the next general election, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) will soon make a formal call to the opposition to form an alternative front.

Bersatu vice-president Mukhriz Mahathir said the alternative front would, like component parties in BN, operate under one logo.

This, Mukhriz confirmed, will soon be voiced to the other opposition party leaders.

“We will suggest this. InsyaAllah (Bersatu chairperson) Dr Mahathir Mohamad will discuss this with the other party leaders.

“Netizens have suggested ‘Barisan Rakyat’, but I don't know whether this name will be accepted or not.”

The Ayer Hitam assemblyperson said this in a dialogue session during a programme titled ‘Malaysia Bersatu bersama Mukhriz Mahathir’ (Malaysia united with Mukhriz Mahathir) in Shah Alam last night.

Mukhriz said the front was important so that all opposition parties would go against BN using one logo, and that this would also prevent voters from getting confused.

The biggest question to be answered...

Asked if PAS would be included in the coalition, Mukhriz admitted that this was the biggest question that needed to be answered.

“Imagine, if we have BN against Barisan Rakyat, suddenly there is the ‘moon party’ (PAS), it would be obvious that we are not together.

“We have no intention of hurting the feelings of our friends in PAS, but Mahathir has said that those who are responsible for three-cornered fights in the election are the ones who want (Prime Minister) Najib Abdul Razak to remain."

Therefore, it would be good for Bersatu to ensure that PAS is with the opposition in the fight against the country's current leadership, he said.

“Records show that whenever there are three-cornered fights, BN will win and when BN wins, Najib will stay as prime minister.

“We don't want this so let us try to ensure that only BN and Barisan Rakyat will be the ones contesting against one another," Mukhriz said.