Any discussions between PKR and Islamist-party PAS with regards to the upcoming Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar by-elections should be formally presented to the Pakatan Harapan presidential council, said Parti Amanah Negara strategic director Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.

The former Kuala Selangor MP told Malaysiakini that Harapan’s crushing defeat in the Sarawak elections should be seen as a wake-up call on the rakyat’s demand for a united opposition coalition against BN.

“I think we have to be really sensitive to the public's perception towards Harapan post-Sarawak elections. They want to see a strong and united front and so our actions should reflect that.

“If that wake-up call in Sarawak is insufficient, then it is not a good sign for Harapan,” Dzulkefly warned.

PKR and DAP candidates had clashed with each other in six seats, causing confusion among Harapan supporters on the ground.

PKR eventually retained its three incumbents but loss in 37 other seats. The DAP, meanwhile, defended only seven out of its 12 incumbents, losing 23 other seats that it contested in.

Dzulkefly, as such, cautioned that a similar situation may spillover to the peninsula unless Harapan leaders are able to convince their supporters of their ability to stand united.

“Any actions by any of the three parties, if seen to go against the people’s demand, will not be taken lightly. No matter how well intended it may be,” he said.

Dzulkefly was responding to speculations on ongoing discussions between PKR and PAS, in a supposed attempt to ensure a straight-fight against BN.

Sources told Malaysiakini that Amanah may be requested to compromise and allow PKR to contest against BN.

This was on the premise that PAS will only concede to make way for PKR as it is more likely to oppose its splinter party Amanah, should it stand in either seat.

PAS had traditionally contested in both Kuala Kangsar and Sungai Besar.

In the 2013 general elections, they lost by 399 votes in Sungai Besar and 1,082 votes in Kuala Kangsar.

Justifiable and winnable formula

Dzulkefly, however, said that the numbers may not be an accurate gauge of the party’s chances this time around as support were given to PAS as part of the then Pakatan Rakyat federal opposition coalition.

“Whichever party is chosen to stand in the by-elections, Harapan leaders must make the decision based on a quantifiable, justifiable and winnable formula,” he stressed.

Amanah communications director Khalid Samad (photo) recently told Malaysiakini that while the party hopes its candidate will be fielded in the seats, the focus should remain to support any Harapan candidate.

Selangor Menteri Besar Azmin Ali had previously confirmed ongoing negotiations with PAS as part of the state-government and quipped that it could go on until “doomsday”.

At the event in Sungai Besar on Thursday, Azmin was repeatedly asked whether PKR would be the party to field its candidate for the seat.

So far, Harapan has yet to decide on the party to contest in either one or both of the seats.

Meanwhile, PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar too reiterated that the party did not want to see a three-cornered fights in the by-elections.

"Our approach will be one of consensus where the (Selangor) menteri besar himself has held discussions with all quarters and surely we will not compromise our commitment in Pakatan Harapan.

"For now, negotiations are still ongoing and it is hoped that both by-elections will see one-on-one contests as three-cornered fights will cause the seat to fall to BN as it did in Sarawak," she was quoted as saying in a video by Free Malaysia Today.

Nurul Izzah also expressed her thanks to PAS for temporarily issuing a gag order on its members from commenting on the by-elections pending negotiations.