I was surfing the net this evening when I came accross a very interesting piece of news in the online edition of The Star, a local English daily.
According to the report, the Malaysian Opposition parties, PAS, PKR and DAP are to form a new coalition, called the Pakatan Rakyat (People’s Pact).
This event truly heralds a new beginning in Malaysian politics. For the past 50 years of independence, we have lived under the divisive, corrupt and nepotistic government of the Barisan Nasional (BN, National Front). This new alliance is a godsend for all, and just the right response to March 8th’s political tsunami recently.
This is the joint statement of the heads of all three of these political parties, taken from YB Lim Kit Siang’s blog.
The leaders of KeADILan, DAP and PAS met today in furtherance of the meeting held on the 18th of March 2008.
Today’s meeting was attended by, among others, Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, YB Lim Kit Siang, YB Dato’ Seri Tuan Guru Haji Abdul Hadi Awang and YB Datin Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
In today’s meeting, we have proposed to consolidate the cooperation between the three parties under the name “PAKATAN RAKYAT”. This name has been proposed pending confirmation by the respective parties.
Pakatan Rakyat pledges to uphold the rights and interests of all Malaysians, regardless of religion or race, as enshrined in the Constitution.
With the results of the recent elections, the state governments of Kelantan, Kedah, Pulau Pinang, Perak and Selangor will be known as Pakatan Rakyat state governments. The policies of these governments will be conducted in accordance with the policies of Pakatan Rakyat.
To further mutual understanding regarding such policies, a convention of all Pakatan Rakyat elected representatives of Parliament and State Assemblies will be held on the 27th of April 2008.
We have developed and strengthened the structure of Pakatan Rakyat by creating under the Leadership Council, consisting of the leaders of the three parties, a Joint Secretariat consisting of three leaders from each of the three parties. This joint Secretariat will be tasked with building the foundation and framework of the Pakatan Rakyat for ratification by the Leadership Council.
Congratulations to PR. May more good things follow for you, for Malaysia. This Blog proudly proclaims itself as one of the first to give a review on the Pact.
