PSM has not been invited to join the new opposition pact Pakatan Harapan. But the socialist party does not consider being part of the new opposition coalition as a major factor.

"There was no invitation (to join Pakatan Harapan). We're not gung-ho about it anyway, because we have work to do to empower people to overcome their problems," PSM chairperson Nasir Hashim (photo) told Malaysiakini .

However Nasir said PSM will consider an offer to join if it is made, but stressed that being part of the new coalition was not that important.

"We have been on our own for so long... Whether they invite or don't invite us is not a crucial factor," he said.

Despite not being keen on joining the new coalition, the PSM chief hoped that when elections come, they would be able to work together.

"We hope to have some form of election pact (to avoid three-cornered fights). Three-cornered fights don't benefit the opposition," he said.

Nasir had lost his Kota Damansara state seat in the 2013 elections because Pakatan Rakyat turned it into a three-way contest.

PSM also suffered defeats in Semenyih and Jelapang that year because of Pakatan’s interference.

The socialist party had gone back and forth on whether to join the previous opposition coalition before finally giving up on the idea in November last year.

PSM had at that time formed a new 'leftist' coalition with Parti Rakyat Malaysia, but Nasir said this coalition did not work out either.

"We had meetings before, but it didn't congeal like we wanted it to be... but we would find some common ground so we don't affect each other's work," he said.

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