PKR's Batu MP Tian Chua has expressed surprise over concerns about PKR and Parti Pribumi Bersatu (Bersatu) participating in a PAS-organised "mega-ceramah".

"I'm a bit surprised why it's such a big deal... I don't think there's anything to be alarmed about," he told Malaysiakini today.

The ceramah will feature speakers from the three parties and Parti Ikatan Bangsa Malaysia (Ikatan).

It is to be held tonight, a day before a meeting where Pakatan Harapan and Bersatu are supposed to discuss how to formalise their cooperation for the next general election.

Tian Chua said PKR has been going to PAS events for a while now, and Harapan partners DAP and Amanah have had no problems with this.

PAS and DAP became estranged over disagreements on the hudud issue, and a motion to cut off all ties with DAP was approved at the 2015 PAS muktamar.

Meanwhile, relations between PAS and its splinter party Amanah have been antagonistic.

"(Whatever has happened between DAP, Amanah and PAS), they have nothing to do with PKR and Bersatu," Tian Chua said.

Open relationship respected

Meanwhile, PKR's Sri Andalas assemblyperson Xavier Jeyakumar said they have agreed within Pakatan Harapan to always respect one another's relationships with outside opposition parties.

Not only that, he said, currently the PKR-led Selangor state government comprises PKR, DAP and PAS, so they cannot cut themselves off completely from PAS.

"If you tell us to cut off completely from PAS, then you are already putting yourself in tremendous pressure in terms of winnability in the (next) general elections.

"Even if DAP and Amanah does not want to keep talking to PAS, let us keep talking to PAS," he said.

He said it was important for them to maintain their relationships with both Pakatan Harapan parties and other opposition parties in order to prepare for the next general election.

The people want to see one-on-one fights in the general elections, he said, so they need to be able to discuss with opposition parties on seat allocations.

This is especially important after the multi-cornered fights that broke out in the Sarawak election and the twin Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar by-elections earlier this year, said Xavier.

Remaining hopeful

"We cannot make the decision (on seats) now, because we don't know when the (general election) is.

"When it comes to the crunch and we have to make a decision, that is a decision we will have to make (then).

"We have a long period of time in order to have further discussions, so why do we want to, at present, cut all our relationships with (PAS), when we are still working with them in Selangor?" he said.

If DAP, Amanah and PAS remain unwilling to cooperate with one another come the general election even after negotiations, he said, then at least PKR can say they have tried their best.

"If it is not possible, then yes, we will tell the public, we have tried our best," he said.