PAS endorses Pakatan’s common platform

By G. Manimaran - The Malaysian Insider

Bahasa Malaysia Editor

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 14 — Pakatan Rakyat (PR) edged closer to a formal coalition after PAS, whose Islamic credentials have often been at odds with its partners PKR and DAP, gave the green light to the alliance's common platform which will be tabled at this Saturday's special convention.

The decision by PAS is seen as a major step in PR's attempt to surmount the various obstacles surrounding the alliance of PAS, DAP and PKR.

"Yes, we agreed to accept it. This is a significant achievement. We did not accept unanimously but the PAS leadership had made a thorough study of the contents of the common platform before we approved it," PAS central committee member Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad (picture) told The Malaysian Insider.

PR's technical committee is expected to complete the common platform's contents today before the alliance's leadership council meeting tomorrow endorses the policies.

Without revealing details Dzulkefly, who is also a member of the technical committee said a few attractive measures can be expected from the common platform which will be unveiled by the end of the week.

"This will be the axis of understanding in Pakatan in facing the next general election.

"The policy touches on the supremacy of the Constitution, democracy, the economy and so on, to reflect our stand after 20 months.

"It is now time for us to be seen as being more earnest and to be more authoritative in facing the future," he said

Meanwhile, PKR elections director Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said this Saturday's convention will begin with the tabling of the common platform.

"This will be followed by the speeches by the three leaders of Pakatan Rakyat and the debates before the final declaration," he said.

The PR convention will see the tabling of a 10-point declaration, he said.

"The PR platform will be based on the issues of democracy, rule of law and the institutions of state, the economy, language and religion.

"We took the simple approach in formulating this platform which is to emphasise the interest of the rakyat," said Saifuddin, who is also the convention coordinator.

He said each PR component party would be sending 500 delegates to the convention.

This first PR convention will take place at the MBSA auditorium in Shah Alam and will see discussions centre around the alliance's common platform.

The convention is also expected to make decisions about the registration of PR as a formal coalition and the use of a common logo in the next general election.