JAILED opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim today said he endorsed the efforts of PKR deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali to form an electoral pact with PAS in Selangor in the 14th general election.

Anwar, however, said PKR’s commitment was firmly with Pakatan Harapan (PH) as stated by PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

“What the PKR Political Bureau has proposed and agreed before was not to go against PAS, and to study the possibility of preventing a three-cornered fight, harnessing all the forces in facing Umno-Barisan Nasional (BN) in GE14,” Anwar said in a statement today.

Anwar said, in working with PAS, the rules are clear, and if a cooperation takes place, it still is within the framework of PKR’s commitment with PH.

“Azmin, who was asked to lead this initiative, realised that the effort is a national strategy and is not limited to Selangor.

“It must be stressed that PKR’s intention is to harness the people’s strength,” he said.

Anwar, who is de facto leader for both PKR and PH. issued the statement to clarify PKR’s negotiations with PAS, which had caused anxiety among PKR grassroots and PH.

PH’s Presidential Council last week agreed to close the door to PAS and will instead prepare for three-cornered fights in GE14.

Previously, there were rumours that PAS in Selangor, Kedah and Kelantan were negotiating for autonomy from the PAS central leadership to ensure straight fights against BN.

Anwar also commented on the meeting of PKR leaders, Dr Wan Azizah, Azmin and Shaharuddin Baharuddin, with PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, that had attracted various reactions.

“Unfortunately, there were critiques and crude attacks from some PAS leaders against PKR,” he said.

Anwar said he advised PKR leaders not to entertain the attacks from a few PAS leaders and to concentrate on fighting BN, and at the same time allowed clarification to rectify the confusion, including the issue of amending the Shariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act (RUU355).

Recalling his meeting with PAS and DAP before the formation of Pakatan Rakyat after GE12, Anwar said the negotiations were complicated. Despite this it managed to achieve its objectives.

He added that the situation now is even more complicated and challenging, as PAS had decided not to join Pakatan.

“About two years ago, I said PKR should not to break ties with PAS as long as there is a willingness on the side of PAS to continue to work together,” he said.

According to Anwar, he has voiced his stand consistently to the leaders of PKR, DAP, Bersatu and Amanah, and stressed that “the leadership has the right to make changes from time to time”. – September 2, 2017.