A united opposition front should be as inclusive as possible in challenging the Umno-Barisan Nasional coalition, said PKR secretary-general Rafizi Ramli.

This, said the Pandan MP, is on the condition all parties agree with the common policies of the coalition.

This is so the coalition can function well together and not repeat the mistakes of the previous opposition alliance.

Rafizi said Pakatan Harapan should be ready to be inclusive and not close doors to other parties such as PAS, Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) and even MCA.

"I think this has been explained very consistently - we have to build a coalition as broad as possible [...]

“(However) any potential members have to agree with the specifics of the agreement

"So we can even admit PSM in the future, even MCA or anyone [...]

“If we are serious in the fight to defeat Umno-BN, we have to be as inclusive as possible," he told an almost thousand-strong crowd at the Pakatan Harapan Amanah Negara fund raising dinner organised by Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) in Kuala Lumpur last night.

The majority Chinese crowd at the same time jeered when the PKR man mentioned MCA, prompting Rafizi to laugh it off along with other Pakatan Harapan leaders.

PKR: We still need PAS

Rafizi, along with DAP national publicity chief Tony Pua, Amanah president Mohamad Sabu and other Amanah leaders also held an hour-long Q&A session at the dinner yesterday.

Most question posed were about relation with PAS and getting votes from the traditional PAS base in the northern peninsular and rural areas.

Rafizi, the only high ranking PKR member present, said his party has always acted as a 'bridge' for other parties to make an effective united opposition, and will continue to do so for the benefit of the people.

He said burning bridges with PAS is destructive, and communications must be maintained to seek opportunities to work together in the future, as the Islamic party still commands sizeable support.

"We cannot burn bridges with them (PAS), we must still speak to them.

"If not, we are entering into a mutually destructive election in the future.

"It might be okay with DAP, but we still need to navigate these areas and be a bridge between them," he said.

However Pua in an earlier speech ruled out working together with PAS, saying Pakatan Harapan does not need the Islamic party to secure the Malay vote.

He argued that Pakatan Harapan needs more seats in Johor, Negri Sembilan and Perak, places where PAS is not as strong and even the region’s MPs from the Islamic party have switched camps to Amanah.

“I took part in the by-election in Johor where PAS contested against Umno… what is the outcome?

“PAS got 12 percent of the votes in the Tenang by-election in Labis, so the perception that PAS can deliver votes for us in Johor is completely wrong.

“Malays do not accept PAS’ brand of politics and religion

“Even if PAS turns over a new leaf, can we trust PAS that they won’t collaborate with Umno and won’t stay with us? No," he said.

Differences over PAS

After the demise of the former Pakatan Rakyat coalition earlier this year, PKR, DAP and Amanah set up Pakatan Harapan on Sept 22.

However its leaders still disagree on the issue of PAS, especially in PKR, many of whom still insist on cooperation with PAS.

Both PAS and DAP have declared numerous times that they will not join any coalition with the other, but both are maintaining their relationship with PKR.

The rift was worsened during the PAS muktamar earlier this year when a motion to break ties with DAP was pushed forth without debate.