Can meet but better to meet the people now - Anwar on GTA

Pakatan Harapan chairperson Anwar Ibrahim has given his clearest hint yet that there will be no cooperation between his coalition and Dr Mahathir Mohamad-led Gerakan Tanah Air (GTA) in the 15th general election (GE15).

“What cooperation? When did I say that? All I said was that ‘talks’ can be held with anyone. If (discussions) are needed, I am in Penang today, and Sarawak tomorrow.

“To me, given the current circumstances, it’s better to meet the people. It’s not that we have not had meetings before (with Mahathir),” he said.

Anwar (above) was speaking to reporters at a Penang PKR leadership dinner in George Town.

Also present were PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar and Penang DAP chairperson and Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.

Prior to this, Mahathir reportedly said GTA was willing to hold talks with Anwar on possible cooperation with Harapan in GE15.

Anwar, however, declined to reply when asked if he received any requests from GTA for discussions.

The PKR president recently said he has no qualms about meeting Mahathir to discuss political cooperation for GE15.

However, he stressed that Harapan’s emphasis was on fighting Perikatan Nasional (PN) and BN.

Meanwhile, Anwar said Nurul Izzah will most likely defend the Permatang Pauh parliamentary seat.

“It is (defending Permatang Pauh) heading that direction… big possibility yes, very big possibility,” he said.

He was asked whether Nurul Izzah was ready to defend her seat or asked by the party to take on Ampang incumbent MP and Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin.

The Permatang Pauh seat, since 1982, has been a bastion for Anwar and his family. In GE14, Nurul Izzah won the seat with a 15,668 vote-majority.

- Bernama

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