The NGO Lensa Anak Muda Malaysia has urged Pakatan Rakyat to form a committee to strengthen the coalition.

 

The youth group lamented today that Pakatan has been bogged down by the Selangor menteri besar crisis since early this year, and its component parties are now squabbling over the hudud issue.

 

As a result, said Lensa’s communications chief Syukri Razab, Pakatan had not come up with fresh ideas this year, such as its campaign to lower car prices, or its Buku Jingga manifesto.

 

“It is unwise if Pakatan continues to get carried away with their infighting whereas BN, especially Umno, is also is also in midst of factional infighting and power struggles.

 

“It is not Lensa’s stance to suggest that Pakatan takes advantage of Umno’s weakness, but it is very embarrassing if Pakatan is weaker compared to BN, although the latter has already lost the popular vote,” Syukri said in a statement.

 

Lensa said the committee should include representatives from each of the three Pakatan component parties, and be given the mandate to pass resolutions that all parties would recognise.

'Formalise the arrangement in an MOU'

He called for the committee to be formalised in the form of a memorandum of understanding (MOU).

 

The committee should also consult stakeholders such as NGOs and community groups, and take these steps to resolve infighting by the end of the year.

 

“Of course the MOU would be no guarantee that there would be no further infighting in Pakatan.

 

“However, at least the MOU can be a point of reference to find the cause of problems and more effective solutions.

 

“If Pakatan can’t even manage to form this committee, then Lensa is certain that the people’s hopes of seeing more from Pakatan – such as its shadow cabinet – would continue to be a dream that is impossible to realise,” Lensa said.

 

Previously, DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang had expressed concern on Pakatan’s survival, since its leadership council had not met in six months.

 

Prior to that, several DAP leaders had urged PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang to be present at the meetings.

 

In response, Hadi had said it was up to him whether or not to attend the meetings.