‘Big tent’ compromises PKR’s principles, says Fahmi
Fahmi Zainol says PKR could not implement reforms after GE14 because of its agreement with its Pakatan Harapan partners. (PKR pic)
PETALING JAYA: PKR risks sacrificing its principles if it takes on the “big tent” approach for the next general election (GE15), said party youth chief candidate Fahmi Zainol.
He said “the harsh reality” was that PKR and Pakatan Harapan (PH) had suffered major defeats in recent state elections, and fence sitters who had supported the coalition were now turning elsewhere.
“Previously, PKR’s offer to the rakyat was its principles, but if we compromise on those principles, we can no longer offer our best to the people,” he said at a press conference.
The former student activist said thorough consideration had to be taken over the “big tent” approach to safeguard PKR’s interests.
Fahmi Zainol.
“It is not an exaggeration to say PKR suffered most in the 14th general election.
“When PH won, we could not implement the more radical reforms the people desired because of our agreement with other parties in the coalition,” he said, adding that those parties had “unclear” reform agendas.
The “big tent” is a term used to describe the move to unite all opposition parties against Barisan Nasional in GE15.
Some PH leaders, including PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and Amanah deputy president Salahuddin Ayub, previously said PH should be open to discussions with any party ahead of GE15.
However, PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli has rejected those calls, saying the time had come for the party to “start from zero” to win the hearts of voters rather than reach out to other parties in its efforts to win back Putrajaya.
Commenting further, Fahmi urged PKR to “return to the basics”, and stressed that the party’s machinery, along with that of its PH partners, Amanah and DAP, were well equipped ahead of the elections.
“We must not allow PKR’s resources to be wasted again. I prefer to strengthen our tent in PH itself,” he said.
PETALING JAYA: PKR risks sacrificing its principles if it takes on the “big tent” approach for the next general election (GE15), said party youth chief candidate Fahmi Zainol.
He said “the harsh reality” was that PKR and Pakatan Harapan (PH) had suffered major defeats in recent state elections, and fence sitters who had supported the coalition were now turning elsewhere.
“Previously, PKR’s offer to the rakyat was its principles, but if we compromise on those principles, we can no longer offer our best to the people,” he said at a press conference.
The former student activist said thorough consideration had to be taken over the “big tent” approach to safeguard PKR’s interests.
Fahmi Zainol.“It is not an exaggeration to say PKR suffered most in the 14th general election.
“When PH won, we could not implement the more radical reforms the people desired because of our agreement with other parties in the coalition,” he said, adding that those parties had “unclear” reform agendas.
The “big tent” is a term used to describe the move to unite all opposition parties against Barisan Nasional in GE15.
Some PH leaders, including PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and Amanah deputy president Salahuddin Ayub, previously said PH should be open to discussions with any party ahead of GE15.
However, PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli has rejected those calls, saying the time had come for the party to “start from zero” to win the hearts of voters rather than reach out to other parties in its efforts to win back Putrajaya.
Commenting further, Fahmi urged PKR to “return to the basics”, and stressed that the party’s machinery, along with that of its PH partners, Amanah and DAP, were well equipped ahead of the elections.
“We must not allow PKR’s resources to be wasted again. I prefer to strengthen our tent in PH itself,” he said.
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