Learning from past, Pakatan leaders set to ink formal dos and don’ts
(TMI) – In a bid to convince a disillusioned public that it can work together, Pakatan Harapan will unveil its code of conduct this weekend, which among others will guide partners on resolving conflicts among them as well as claims over seats.
Top leaders of the coalition’s three parties are expected to sign the document, a formalised set of dos and don’ts, seen critical after the collapse of the old opposition pact, Pakatan Rakyat (PR), which comprised PKR, DAP and PAS.
Many prominent parliamentarians and leaders of PAS left the Islamist party to form Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah), which together with PKR and DAP makes up Pakatan Harapan.
The failure to manage ideological differences and policy positions between PR parties, especially PAS and DAP, was a major reason the six-year coalition ended in July last year.
“Based on our previous experience, there were many things that were not properly conducted between parties in the coalition,” said a senior Pakatan Harapan leader who requested anonymity.
“Since we have started a new one, we should spell out the dos and don’ts so that we can manage our differences and make this coalition work.”
It is the first time an opposition coalition is developing a code of conduct separately from a common manifesto. The former spells out how to behave and come to agreement, whereas the latter is a product of that process.
The code would form the foundation on how the three parties hash out policies and come out with common position on any given issue, said another senior leader.
