THE opposition coalition ‘big-tent’ approach will not include merger or co-operation with parties in the government, Amanah president Mohamad Sabu said today.

According to Mohamad, it was unlikely that Pakatan Harapan would work with “traitors” who have clearly betrayed the trust and mandate of the people.

“Amanah would like to reiterate that the ‘big tent’ is a matter of unification and co-operation of opposition parties to face the next general election,” he said in a statement.

“It should be emphasised that the traitors are those who have jumped to join Bersatu and Perikatan Nasional because of the offers made at that time.

“It is not appropriate for us to equate a group that has hopped parties with a group that has not,” the Kota Raja MP said, referring to Minister for International Trade and Industry Mohamed Azmin Ali and a group of PKR MPs who had joined Bersatu during the Sheraton Move, resulting in the collapse of the PH government.

Mohamad further said it was also inappropriate to call Pejuang, Warisan and Muda traitors because of the betrayal of Muhyiddin Yassin and Bersatu.

Mohamad said PH wants to fulfil its responsibility to the people by working for victory in the next general election, so the question of uniting the opposition was necessary.

He said in this direction, Amanah will strive to increase the number of “friends” in order to face BN and PN.

“For those who have decided that the next election will not be won, such an effort is not necessary.

“Trying to lose is much easier than fighting to win,” he said.

Yesterday, candidate from PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli said PH should not be seeking out a “new tent” when the going gets tough, following DAP and Amanah’s push for a “big tent” approach to scoop up other opposition parties into a wider opposition coalition.

Rafizi, who was introducing his team of candidates for the PKR polls, said PH should believe in its own abilities and the capability of its allies. – April 18, 2022.