In the same day former opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim called for a reorganised and stronger opposition, leaders from the supposedly 'dead' Pakatan Rakyat were seen having a meeting together.
Photos of PKR, DAP and PAS progressive faction MPs and leaders seated together yesterday made the rounds with them reportedly talking about the birth of Pakatan 2.0.
Seputeh MP Teresa Kok who posted the picture onto her Facebook page yesterday said it was from a breaking fast event at PAS Tumpat MP Kamaruddin Jaafar's house in Kuala Lumpur last night.
"While PAS congress decision is to break off relations with DAP, but tonight it seemed to give hope to the birth of Pakatan Rakyat 2.0," she wrote.
Among others in the pictures were former PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu, DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang, former PAS vice-president Salahuddin Ayub, Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad, Sungai Petani MP Johari Abdul PAS celebrity member and singer Wan Aishah and PKR vice-presidents Tian Chua and Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin.
Shamsul explained that the event was held by the PAS progressive faction called G18 which held a private meeting earlier.
"It has nothing to do with the creation of new party. If you want to conclude that they are offering something to us, that’s is untrue," he told Malaysiakini when contacted.
Stronger Opposition
Shamsul who is the Bukit Katil MP, said the MPs will, from time to time, discuss their work.
"We will have series of discussions after this on what’s good for the people," he said.
Anwar, who is currently serving a five-year sentence, stated yesterday that he believed the opposition would rise stronger from the ashes of Pakatan.
"I have no doubt that the Opposition, reorganised with new forces including NGOs, will emerge united and stronger from these troubles.
"I assure you, that I will never give up this struggle as long as there’s breath in this body," he said in a statement released through his lawyers yesterday.
Anwar's statement was the clearest yet of efforts to create a post-Pakatan coalition.
Ready for discussions
Meanwhile PAS splinter NGO Pasma said they are ready to discuss with several other NGOs and allies in all three parties to create a new Islamic party to replace PAS.
The party's president Phahrolrazi Zawawi ( photo ) said it will be line for a new working relationship between PKR, DAP and PAS progressives in line with the coalition’s cooperation framework.
"We will announce the supporting committee after Hari Raya and engage in talks with both PKR and DAP," he told Malaysiakini yesterday.
Regarding this, Shamsul denied PKR has talked officially with Pasma, but admitted there might be informal talks between the NGO and PKR at state level.
"That might had happened but I can confirm that there has yet to be formal discussions at the party stage," he said.
