Zaid: PPBM’s political game difficult to understand

Former minister Zaid Ibrahim says PPBM is only interested in ensuring they get to have straight fights against BN.

(FMT) – Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPMB) are playing a political game with the sole intent of ensuring they have straight fights with Barisan Nasional, especially Umno, in the next general election (GE14), says Zaid Ibrahim.

In a blog post entitled “Kerjasama yang luar biasa”, which translates to “An extraordinary cooperation”, the former Umno minister referred to an upcoming meeting that will take place on Thursday between PPBM and the Islamist party pertaining to possible cooperation ahead of the next general election (GE14).

He alleged that the outcome of the meeting will also mean that PPBM would not be able to guarantee that PAS will not field candidates in seats that Amanah, DAP and PKR are vying for in the next general election.

“Despite PPBM expecting the Pakatan Harapan components to make way for them to ensure a straight fight with Umno, they cannot guarantee the same from PAS,” Zaid said.

He added that PPBM considered a straight fight as one where PAS does not contest in their seats, while PPBM does not contest in constituencies where PAS will field its candidate.

“In other words, PPBM has no qualms about PAS going up against Umno in three-cornered fights that involve Amanah, DAP or PKR.

“Which means that for PPBM, it doesn’t matter if there are three-cornered fights in Pakatan Harapan seats, as long as PPBM can secure their straight fights by having separate deals with PAS and Pakatan Harapan.

“This is a political game that is difficult to understand,” the former defacto law minister said.

Zaid, who was previously with Umno and PKR, was commenting on the impending decision on a possible pact between PPBM and PAS.

Last week, PPBM chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad said a decision on the cooperation between his party and PAS will be made after Feb 2.

Zaid also seemingly lashed out at PPBM over their appetite for a straight fight with Umno to the point it was willing to work with PAS, despite the Islamist party’s chastising of Mahathir.

He said that PAS considers Malaysia’s longest serving PM as useless and even demanded Mahathir repent and ditch DAP.

PAS and DAP severed ties following their fallout over hudud. PAS has since vowed to never again work with DAP and Amanah, a PAS-splinter group.

“It seems PPBM is fine with their leader being humiliated all because they want a ‘straight fight’ with Umno.”