Pakatan should form a centre-left coalition

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From Ronald Benjamin

Press reports that Pakatan Harapan (PH) will set up a committee to hold negotiations and evaluate Muda, which intends to join the coalition in the near future, is a step in the right direction.

However, it will only bear fruit if it is also open to other left-leaning and green-leaning parties such as Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) which is known for its grassroots struggle for social and environmental justice.

Currently there seems to be uneasiness among PKR leaders in working with Muda, fearing they have to give up some urban seats or that its leader was close to Dr Mahathir Mohamad previously. Also, certain DAP leaders are uncomfortable with PSM as they regard it as an extreme left-leaning party.

It is ironic that PKR and DAP could work with Mahathir’s divisive ethno-religious party Bersatu in the last general election, but have difficulty working with parties that can complement their struggle for inclusive justice.

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