SHAH ALAM: Gerakan Harapan Baru (GHB) is gearing up to replace Pas in the new Opposition pact once it is formed.

Its deputy chairman Salahuddin Ayub said GHB aimed to fill the vacuum left by Pas but it is willing to work with any party including Pas, if needed, provided all leaders of the new pact agreed to accept Pas in the coalition.

“Our task today is to convince the people that we can fill the vacuum in Pakatan Rakyat. When Pakatan Rakyat 2.0 is set up, the leaders will discuss this further.

“GHB is willing to work with not just political parties but also with non-governmental organisations (NGO) and individuals who are interested in saving Malaysia,” he told reporters after speaking in front of some 2,000 people at the launch of GHB’s Selangor chapter, here, last night.

Present at the launch cum rally were GHB advisor Ahmad Awang, GHB chairman Mohamad Sabu and Selangor Pakatan Rakyat leaders including Selangor DAP chief Tony Pua, state Speaker Hannah Yeoh and Shah Alam member of Parliament from Pas Khalid Samad.

Earlier, Mohamad in his speech, likened GHB as a new wife with a ‘complete package’ for the yet to be formed coalition after Pakatan Rakyat was declared defunct following the fall out between DAP and Pas.

“Pas and DAP are divorced. Pakatan must find a new wife and we (GHB) are the new wife. Beautiful, smart and capable,” he joked.

GHB, an alternative Islamist party formed by progressive Pas leaders who lost in the party poll in June is expected to be formally registered as a political party in September.

-New Straits Times