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Question of 'striking a balance' raised in opposition leaders' meet

Question of 'striking a balance' raised in opposition leaders' meet

KUALA LUMPUR: Leaders of opposition parties who met Perikatan Nasional chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin were open to the former prime minister's idea of a united front.
This was revealed by Malaysian Advancement Party president P. Waytha Moorthy, who represented his party at the meeting.
"The discussion went well. Everyone seemed to agree that we need a united front to speak out on issues affecting the people," Waytha Moorthy told the New Straits Times.
The former minister said during the meeting, concerns were raised about striking a balance between Bersatu, Pas, and other Malay parties' political concerns and the unique needs of non-Malay parties.
"So we spoke about the need for further discussions on this initiative. How can we bring this forward and so on?"
Waytha Moorthy said that top Pas leaders could not attend the gathering as they had other party meetings to attend.
He also said the leaders shared the view that Chinese and Indian votes were critical in swinging some 60 seats to the opposition.
Meanwhile, PSM deputy chairman S. Arutchelvan said PSM welcomed the meeting, during which he expressed the party's views and position.
"However, we have not made any decision to join PN or any new coalition," he said in a Facebook post.
Arutchelvan said PSM only had a political understanding with Muda and Parti Rakyat Malaysia.
"Any decision to join a political coalition can only be made by the PSM Congress."
Earlier, Muhyiddin shared that he met opposition party leaders on establishing a united front, with those attending responding positively.
Among those present were opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, Gerakan president Datuk Dr Dominic Lau, Malaysian Indian People's Party president P. Punithan, Pejuang president Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir, and Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia president Datuk Dr Ibrahim Ali.
Also present were Muda acting president Amira Aisya, Malaysian People's Progressive Party Youth chief S. Sathiah, United Rights of Malaysian Party president Professor Dr P. Ramasamy, and Barisan Jemaah Islamiah Se-Malaysia president Zamani Ibrahim.
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