Mat Sabu says no to BN, PN for ‘big tent’ approach

Amanah president Mohamad Sabu today said that any cooperation among political parties under the “big tent” approach ahead of the 15th general election (GE15) should not take into consideration those from Barisan Nasional (BN) or Perikatan Nasional (PN).

In a statement, he said Amanah respected and welcomed differences in opinion regarding the approach but that clarity was needed before any meaningful discussions could be held.

“Amanah wishes to reiterate that the ‘big tent’ approach is a matter of unity and cooperation among opposition parties in facing GE15,” he said.

“It does not include alliances or cooperation with parties in the government, whether Umno, Bersatu or PAS. There is no way that Pakatan Harapan (PH) will work with traitors who have clearly betrayed the trust and mandate of the people.”

Mohamad said the “traitors” were those who had jumped ship to Bersatu and PN due to offers which he claimed had been made at the time.

“It doesn’t make sense for us to put those who have jumped alongside those who did not.

“Just as we do not see PKR as a party of traitors because of its deputy president and the handful of MPs who switched camps, it is also irrational for us to label Pejuang, Warisan and Muda as traitors because of the betrayals of Mahiaddin and Bersatu,” he said, referring to PN chairman Muhyiddin Yassin and the coalition’s lynchpin party.

Bersatu had been part of PH at its historic victory in the 2018 general election which saw the pact toppling BN after six decades of power.

However, it withdrew from the coalition in February 2020 after the resignation of its then-chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad as prime minister.

Muhyiddin was declared Mahathir’s successor but likewise resigned in August last year after a group of MPs aligned with former prime minister Najib Razak and Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi withdrew their support for him in the Dewan Rakyat.

Muhyiddin was succeeded by Umno’s Ismail Sabri Yaakob, whose majority hinged on the support of Muhyiddin and the MPs from Bersatu.

Mohamad said Amanah would continue its efforts to shore up its “friends” in order to face the common enemies of BN and PN.

“For those who have already decided that GE15 cannot be won, such efforts would not be needed,” he said.

“Striving to lose is far easier than fighting to win.”