PKR open to cooperation with any like-minded political party - Wan Azizah

Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) is open to forging cooperation with any political party that is committed to a common policy framework, says its president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

"I think, we want to be friends with everybody, even UMNO. We are the same...we have a struggle.

"We (Pakatan Rakyat) have a common policy framework, whereby our political party members are together with the people in this time of national crisis, and we invite all to resolve this together."

She said this after attending the roadshow, Jelajah Amanat Presiden, here, today.

Also present were PKR deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali, its information chief Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh, Penang chairman Datuk Dr Mansor Othman and other state PKR leaders.

Dr Wan Azizah's remarks were made in reference to the statement by PAS spiritual leader Datuk Dr Haron Din in Mingguan Malaysia today, that PAS was willing to end ties with PKR if the latter agreed to join forces with DAP and Gerakan Harapan Baru (GHB) to form a new opposition pact.

Haron reportedly said this stand could be taken after studying the recent statement by PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim which indicated the party's intention to sever ties with PAS.

When asked about this, Dr Wan Azizah declined to comment further and asked she be allowed to confirm this first.

Asked about PKR's stand on GHB, the Permatang Pauh MP gave a "safe reply", saying: "We are all friends...we have openness, they are our old friends. As friends, we are together on the common policy framework."

Meanwhile, Mohamed Azmin who is also Selangor Menteri Besar, said PKR's stand and priority now was to be more inclusive in the interest of harmony and the national economy.

"We need to show leadership and Keadilan has to play a crucial role in ensuring that all parties and the 'rakyat' (people) will come together as a formidable force to save the country," he said.

Former PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu had last week announced the setting up of GHB, comprising senior PAS leaders who lost in the party elections last month.

GHB, which has applied for registration as a political party, is seen as a replacement for PAS in Pakatan Rakyat after the Islamist party and DAP severed ties. The other ally in Pakatan Rakyat is PKR.