KUALA LUMPUR: Pas and Parti Ikatan Bangsa Malaysia (Ikatan) have formed the country's third political bloc after signing an agreement today.
Pas president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang and Ikatan president Tan Sri Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir signed the document to establish the new coalition at Puteri Park Hotel here at 1.30 pm today.
Other than Pas and Ikatan, the bloc also consisted of a number of unspecified non-governmental organisations.
Hadi said the new pact would be a "constructive opposition" unlike their former partners in the now-defunct Pakatan Rakyat.
"We will not be combative or extreme when it comes giving our views. We do not believe in that.
"Unlike before (in Pakatan), we will support whatever that is good outlined by the government, and advise them what is otherwise.
"We do not want to blindly oppose the establishment," said Hadi.
Abdul Kadir said the reason for the pact's formation was because of the fluid political landscape coupled with several economic issues.
The former Umno leader said Ikatan chose to ally with Pas due to the party's stand on Islam and its principles.
"Pas is a good Islamic party and has been consistent in its cause. Together with Ikatan, we believe that our pact can be the third force in politics.
"And as said (by Hadi) we will be constructive and not abrasive when it comes to any government policy which we do not agree with," said Abdul Kadir.
The Pas-Ikatan bloc meeting discussed socio economic issues, corruption in private and public institutions as well as the Bangsa Malaysia agenda.
The bloc aimed to work based on a mature political model that is transparent and agreed on a rakyat-based approach to find solutions and achievements by rejecting opportunism and racialism.