Pakatan Harapan (PH) emphasised that political stability and the people’s interests are its main priorities when exploring cooperation with other parties or coalitions in Malaysia [1, 2, 3]. Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari stated that PH remains open to working with any party, not limited to Bersatu or Perikatan Nasional (PN), as long as the partnership upholds these principles. "Cooperation with any party, not just Bersatu or Perikatan Nasional (PN), can be considered, provided the underlying principles remain political stability and the well-being of the people," he said [2].
Amirudin denied that Selangor PH has entered into any cooperation or held discussions involving Bersatu. He described current notions of cooperation as external ideas possibly stemming from national political realignments or state election contexts. "So, if there are discussions (at the Selangor PH level), I will bring the matter to the central leadership. What exists currently are merely external ideas or views," Amirudin said [3].
He also noted that any potential cooperation must be evaluated rationally by PH's central leadership, taking into account the timing and circumstances surrounding elections. Amirudin cannot decide on cooperation unilaterally and will escalate any Selangor-level talks to higher party leadership [1, 2, 3].
Last Friday, media reports suggested that Selangor PH appeared open to collaborating with Bersatu at the state level as a strategy to maintain political relevance ahead of the upcoming general election and Melaka state election [1, 2, 3]. However, Amirudin’s statements clarified that no formal cooperation or decisions have been made.
PH’s approach stresses evaluating partnerships based on preserving political stability and prioritising the welfare of Malaysians. With elections approaching, the party’s central leadership is expected to consider these factors carefully before pursuing any formal alliances.
