PN-PH ties possible if PH undergoes major overhaul, says Muhyiddin

Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Muhyiddin Yassin says cooperation with Pakatan Harapan (PH) could be an option if the opposition pact undergoes a large-scale reshuffle.

He said based on his experience in working with PH before this, there was no way PN could cooperate with the coalition in its present form.

“It’s not that we are against unity, it’s just that there are fundamental differences between us,” he said during a press conference at Bersatu’s fourth annual assembly in Kuala Lumpur today.

Adding that he had had “experience” with PH, he said this was why the decision was made to leave the pact.

He said this when asked about the suggestion by former Melaka chief minister Idris Haron for PH and PN to work together during the 15th general election.

Idris, who contested on a PH ticket but lost during the recent Melaka election, said it would be difficult for the coalition to rally support if it chose not to work with other parties.

Bersatu had been part of the PH coalition when it toppled Barisan Nasional at the 14th general election.

Some 22 months later, however, it left PH to form a the government together with Umno, PAS, Gabungan Parti Sarawak and SAPP.

Muhyiddin said the factors stopping PN from forming ties included the fact that one of its components was seen as not pro-Malay and Bumiputera.

“This party has a long history of disputing rights and so on,” he said. “So we cannot work together with them.

“This is why I think that ties will only be possible if a reshuffle takes place in PH.”

The former prime minister also assured that Bersatu would not cut PAS off from the seats it holds at GE15.

He said PN would ensure that no clashes occur among component parties.

“In PN, we already have an understanding but we need to fine-tune how to settle the issue of seat distribution in the election to come,” he said.

“The important thing is to avoid clashes. We must have mutual respect and cooperation – this is the recipe for success.”

Muhyiddin however said he did not think that seat distribution would be a problem as Bersatu is known in PAS-led states.

“The best way is to avoid any misunderstandings. At the Melaka election, for example, PN did not clash and fight within the coalition itself. That is the principle of winning together.”