Pakatan no longer a ‘formal’ pact, PKR chief declares after PAS-DAP fallout

KUALA LUMPUR — Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) president Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said today (June 17) Pakatan Rakyat (PR) will no longer function formally as a coalition, following “hasty” decisions made by the Democratic Action Party (DAP) and Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS).

In a statement, Dr Wan Azizah said her party regretted PAS’ muktamar resolution to cut off ties with DAP as well as DAP’s declaration that their three-party partnership was over.

“In light of this, the political coalition that is Pakatan Rakyat no longer functions formally,” she said.

But the opposition leader said she hoped the spirit of cooperation between the three parties in Selangor and Penang would continue – despite the recent developments.

“And in the same spirit, and based on the Pakatan Rakyat Common Policy Framework, KEADILAN will continue to give support to the Dato’ Menteri Besar of Kelantan, Datuk Ahmad Yaakob,” Dr Wan Azizah said.

“KEADILAN will continue to pioneer efforts to build a coalition among political parties, non-governmental organisations, groups and influential individuals to defeat Barisan Nasional,” she added.

In a statement declaring the “death” of PR yesterday, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng blamed Mr Abdul Hadi Awang for the coalition’s demise, saying the PAS president’s recent actions as well as the Islamist party’s decision at its congress this month to sever ties with DAP meant PR’s Common Policy Framework was broken.

PAS on June 6 confirmed its decision to sever ties with DAP while still remaining in PR with PKR, after its motion to do so was approved without debate. MALAY MAIL ONLINE