JOHOR BARU: A Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) division has welcomed the idea of having a “big tent” to fight Barisan Nasional in the 15th General Election (GE15), as long as DAP is not part of it.

       Parit Sulong Bersatu division chief Datuk Ariss Samsudin said they would adhere to whatever decision made by the party and the Perikatan Nasional leadership for GE15, especially on forming a political big tent to beat Barisan.

       “However, whatever the outcome, Parit Sulong hopes that the party will not repeat its previous decision to cooperate with DAP again.

       “The division had enough of working with DAP during GE14 and hopefully, this cooperation will not happen again in the upcoming GE15,” he said in a statement here on Friday (June 10).

       In the last general election, Bersatu was part of Pakatan Harapan, which consisted of PKR, Parti Amanah Negara and DAP, where they beat Barisan.

       However, Pakatan was only in power for 22 months when Bersatu, together with a group of PKR MPs, left the coalition.

       On May 20, Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said Perikatan was considering whether to work with Pakatan in GE15.

       The Perikatan chairman added that this would avoid clashes between the two coalitions and ensure a straight fight with Barisan in the election.

       “Officially, there have not been any meetings with Pakatan, but there have been some initiatives taken by certain quarters to discuss how Perikatan and Pakatan will be able to avoid clashes with one another in GE15.

       “But we have yet to reach a certain level in finding a solution on this, as we still need to observe the findings of all parties’ leadership,” he added.

       Muhyiddin also said that if all of the parties’ leadership believe such a step was an important strategy in facing GE15, then it is time for everyone to sit together.

       “The question is are we ready to do it and what will be the foundation for us to discuss and more importantly, when can we decide to meet so that we can make a narrative that is easily understood by everyone.

       “As of now, there have not been any official meeting or discussion with Pakatan but we are probing the possibilities,” he added.