Pakatan Harapan to have first convention... without PAS

Pakatan Harapan will have its first ever convention this Saturday to discuss the formation of a grand opposition coalition.

Chief secretary Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah said the convention aims to ensure straight fights with Barisan National in the 14th general election.

"One thousand members from three parties within Pakatan Harapan - PKR, DAP and Amanah will be attending this convention, along with other guests.

"There will be dialogues by Pakatan Harapan leadership including Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Lim Guan Eng and Muhamad Sabu," Saifuddin said in a statement on Thursday.

Former Umno leaders who had formed Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) will also be in attendance.

"PPBM President Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin will deliver his speech along with the three leaders from Pakatan Harapan.

"Former premier and PPBM chairperson Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad will also give a special lecture."

The maiden convention will be held from 8.30am to 4.30pm.

Meanwhile, according to Malaysiakini report, PAS has rejected PKR's invitation to attend the convention as it no longer works with DAP.

The Islamist party’s information chief Nasrudin Hassan Tantawi said PAS will only establish cooperation with PKR, not Pakatan Harapan, as DAP is still in the coalition.

“PAS does not have a co-operation with Pakatan Harapan, and this is not a PKR convention.”

"Yes, we will not attend because of DAP. We have long severed ties with DAP," the online portal reports.