In recent weeks, a number of political parties and coalitions have announced their candidates for certain parliamentary seats.
There were also previous reports that Pakatan Harapan (PH) was looking to enter into an electoral pact with Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) and that they were looking into allocating certain seats to PSM.
However, this deal appears to have fallen apart according to a statement by PSM which was released last night (October 30).
In a post on their social media, PSM wrote, “It’s final, Pakatan Harapan has denied seat for PSM. They have cheated on their promise. We tried, PH has burned the bridge“.
In their statement they explained that PH has rejected the minimum requests by PSM to work together in GE15 and that they have disallowed PSM from standing in any seats.
“This decision was informed to us through a letter from PH dated 30 October 2022,” they added.
“With not a single seat being awarded, it is clear that PH is no longer interested in forming an electoral alliance with PSM.”
“We are disappointed because this matter was only informed to us so late despite Rafizi Ramli’s statement last Friday that there are 3 seats allocated to PSM and MUDA,” said S. Arutchelvan, PSM’s National Deputy Chairman and Election Director.
Hopes of entering into an electoral alliance with PH
The statement added that, “PSM has requested the formation of an electoral alliance with PH because it was the wish of our members and supporters as well as members of civil society that PSM should not contest on its own but instead join a coalition.”
They said that after they had evaluated all existing political party coalitions, PSM decided at that time to begin the process of forming an electoral alliance with PH as it “is the most ethnically diverse and progressive political party coalition among the 3 main coalitions.”
The statement then added that PSM’s request to PH was merely that their Chairman, Dr. Jeyakumar Devaraj, was given the opportunity to contest in Sungai Siput, “because he is the most suitable and best candidate to win in Sungai Siput”.
“We also gave 2 options for parliamentary seats that are not held by PH if PH refuses to give up the Sungai Siput seat.”
“We are disappointed that there is no serious effort from PH to find a way despite many efforts from our side. We are also aware that those who expect us to work with PH will be disappointed. We just want to let our members and supporters know that we have tried. This electoral alliance is over but not our struggle”, they added.
With this latest development, PSM said that they would be holding an emergency Central Committee meeting and a National Committee meeting – “the second highest decision-making body in PSM to decide our next course of action facing GE-15.”
Meanwhile, in response to PSM’ statement on PH’s decision, PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli has taken to Twitter to explain that they have never announced the conclusion that the 3 seats were allocated because discussions were not concluded.
Yes ha3. Glad that some people did not take my comment out of context.
We did not announce 3 seats because the discussion was not concluded.
It was out of respect for the negotiation process. https://t.co/OWFFJVmL3E
— Rafizi Ramli (@rafiziramli) October 30, 2022
“It was out of respect for the negotiation process,” he added.
What do you think of PH’s decision to drop their alliance with PSM?
Also read: Bersatu Deputy President: PKR’s Perak Seat Candidates Are Not Heavyweights
