PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man’s proposal for a ceasefire among opposition parties is a step in the right direction, said Merdeka Center executive director Ibrahim Suffian.

He said Tuan Ibrahim’s suggestion was a “good statement” and one that should be welcomed by the people.

“Even if there are people who don’t believe in what PAS stands for, they should allow political parties to reach a compromise,” Ibrahim told Malaysiakini.

With the many challenges facing society today, Ibrahim said a more competitive political scene is definitely what the country needs.

“Both sides (the government and the opposition) would have to work hard to win the people over.

“But if the opposition is not together and spends more time fighting each other, then it would be an easy win for Barisan Nasional as we have seen in the recent two by-elections.”

Tuan Ibrahim, he added, had made the suggestion in keeping with PAS’ best interests, ahead of the upcoming general election.

“He’s speaking on what’s best for PAS, which also happens to be the best interest of other opposition parties, notwithstanding Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah).”

Ibrahim is of the belief that all the opposition parties need to come together to reach a kind of compromise.

“There’s a need for leaders to behave like leaders and start to discuss how best to align themselves,” he added.

Things, however, have to be taken in stages as much has happened since Pakatan Rakyat's breakup.

“A lot of hurtful comments were made against one another,” said Ibrahim.

“Let common sense come to prevail; they should begin with confidence-building to reduce the temperature and to rebuild trust. Once that has been published, then they can talk about an electoral pact.”

‘Need to agree not to fight'

Political analyst Khoo Kay Peng, on the other hand, stressed that they should also form an electoral pact.

“A ceasefire alone is not enough, there must be an electoral pact, they must go back to 2008.

“What needs to be done is an electoral pact, they need to agree not to fight with one another,” he said.

PAS needs to choose its battles as remaining in between BN and Pakatan Harapan would only lead to its demise, he said.

“If it sits inside (Pakatan Harapan), Amanah would also want to contest (the same seats).

“If PAS goes to BN and ask for more seats from Umno, Umno won’t want to concede as it wants to win.

“So PAS is caught in between. Therefore, PAS should form an electoral pact with Pakatan Harapan,” he added.

In urging the ceasefire, Tuan Ibrahim yesterday said opposition parties should instead train their guns on Umno and BN.

Opposition parties, he said, must compromise without sacrificing their core ideals in order to focus on the “real enemy”.