PKR deputy president Mohd Azmin Ali has expressed confidence in ensuring straight fights in the next general election, even with Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia’s (Bersatu) arrival to the political arena, and the prospect of an early election.

“I am always an optimist,” he said today when asked.

“We have seen that when PKR was formed in 1999 and we joined the election as a new party, we too got our places after some older parties at that time, such as DAP and PAS made way for us.

“I believe this can be done through discussion and consensus on the basis of broader interests and framework, in order to bring change to the country,” he added.

Azmin, who is also the Selangor menteri besar, was speaking to reporters after attending the World Quran Hour event at the International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM) in Gombak today.

He said there had already been preliminary discussions on seat allocations, and PKR’s party machinery was prepared for ‘any eventuality’.

He added PKR would consider all options to ensure a straight fight with BN, while also looking after the interests of its coalition partners in Pakatan Harapan, as well as PKR’s working relationship with PAS, and taking into account Bersatu’s arrival on the political arena.

Bersatu - an Umno splinter party headed by its former president Dr Mahathir Mohamad and deputy president Muhyiddin Yassin - was officially approved by the Registrar of Societies as a new political party on Friday last week.

Asked if Bersatu would also be joining the Pakatan coalition, Azmin said the matter needed to be discussed further.

However, he predicted that the new party would play a major role in the next general election.

“I strongly believe that with the leadership of Muhyiddin Yassin, and his capabilities and experience, the party will have a very strong appeal among the Malay voters, especially Umno members,” he said.

He expressed hoped that Bersatu’s strengths would complement that of Pakatan’s and PAS’, to ensure an opposition victory in the 14th general election.

Previously, Bloomberg quoted two unnamed Umno division chiefs saying that the election could be held in March next year, while Gerakan vice president Dominic Lau reportedly said the party had been told to prepare for an election.

The election is not due until mid-2018, and some speculate that the early election is meant to catch opposition parties while they are still in disarray, following the breakup of the Pakatan Rakyat coalition last year.

Reward for S'gor gold medallist

Meanwhile, Azmin said the Selangor government will give suitable acknowledgment to the Rio Paralympics gold medallist Muhammad Ziyad Zolkefli, who hails from Gombak, Selangor.

Malaysia has won two golds so far.

He said he is delighted by the news of the gold medal won by the Selangorian, and the state government will discuss the matter after tomorrow’s Aidiladha holiday.

"Garnering two golds is something to be proud of - not just for the people of Selangor but for all of Malaysia. I believe Selangor will play its role in supporting our athletes by giving them encouragement.

“I will make an announcement soon on what kind of incentive or reward would we give to athletes who have really worked hard to bring fame to Malaysia and Selangor on the international arena,” he said.

Ziyad had won a gold medal in the Men's Shot Put F20 (intellectual disability) event in the Rio Paralympics today, and had set a world record in doing so.

He hurled the shot to 16.84 metres, beating the previous world record of 16.29 metres set in the 2012 Paralympics.

Also winning a gold for Malaysia was Mohamad Ridzuan Mohamad Puzi in the 100-metre T36 (celebral palsy) event.

Malaysia had never won gold in the Paralympics, until now.