PETALING JAYA: The "big tent" strategy to unite all Opposition parties in the upcoming general election was never discussed by the leadership of PKR and Pakatan Harapan, says Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

       "I will stick to a factual statement, that the 'big tent' was never discussed in any decision-making process," said the PKR secretary-general during a live debate with party stalwart Rafizi Ramli.

       In the debate organised by Sinar Harian on Wednesday (May 11) Saifuddin also said during previous Pakatan monthly meetings, the leadership mostly discussed political developments.

       "Pakatan's leadership also discussed various ideas but most importantly, does one idea become a decision that binds us all?

       "The answer is no. We also discussed and explored ideas that do not bind us. We need to respond to the series of losses," said Saifuddin in the debate that was aired live on Facebook.

       Saifuddin was referring to Pakatan's disastrous outings in the Melaka, Johor and Sarawak state elections.

       "Barisan Nasional had 43% of votes but they garnered two-thirds majorities in Melaka and Johor.

       "We discussed and brainstormed ideas, and when the 'big tent' idea was proposed, I want to stress here that PKR did not discuss it," he said.

       "Having a common ground doesn't mean that we can cooperate in an electoral pact," added Saifuddin.

       The Melaka elections last November saw PKR being completely wiped out, Amanah won one seat and DAP managed to retain merely four seats

       Similarly in Sarawak, PKR and Amanah lost all the seats it contested, while DAP only managed to retain two seats.

       In the Johor state elections in March, PKR and Amanah each won one seat, DAP retained 10 seats.

       Earlier in the debate, Rafizi recounted his experience of temporarily leaving politics for four years, saying that it has allowed him to better understand voters and their grievances about Pakatan's 22-month administration.

       "They want PKR and Pakatan to stop being defensive and accept criticism about the series of losses in the previous state elections," added Rafizi.

       Rafizi also said the 15th General Election could be held in less than a year and Pakatan's election machinery must be ready.

       "If Pakatan's only strategy to take on the general election is by uniting all Opposition parties under the 'big tent', it could cause us to stray from our main function as a political coalition – that is convincing voters that not only we have solutions but also capable leaders.

       "That is why I have stated that we must change our ways and abandon this 'big tent' strategy that we have tried over the past two years," said the former Pandan MP.

       Rafizi said the "big tent" idea could lead to a trust deficit among voters if Pakatan goes ahead with it.

       "If we continue negotiations, that means we continue embracing those disliked and criticised by the people. This leads to an erosion of trust," added Rafizi.

       Following the 14th General Election in May 2018, PKR had 50 MPs in the former Pakatan government, followed by DAP's 42 MPs, Amanah's 11 and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia's 26.

       The "Sheraton Move" saw the exit of Bersatu and 11 MPs from PKR, triggering the collapse of the Pakatan government after just 22 months in Putrajaya.

       In the ensuing months, several MPs announced their resignation from PKR, among them Kuala Langat MP Dr Xavier Jayakumar, Julau MP Larry Sng, Tebrau MP Steven Choong, and Lubok Antu MP Jugah Moyang.

       The exodus that gradually took place eventually left PKR with only 35 MPs.