The basic principle of the Pakatan Rakyat is to, firstly, melt down the narrow sectarianism said Anwar Ibrahim. (Photo: Din Merican)

Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim asked the Pakatan Rakyat component parties of PKR, DAP and PAS to emerge from the cocoon of their narrow sectarianism and be fair to all the people.

“The basic principle of the Pakatan Rakyat is to, firstly, melt down the narrow sectarianism. We will not win (elections) if we continue to defend outdated sectarianism and neglect the principle of being fair to all,” he said at the first Pakatan Rakyat convention, here, on Saturday.

Anwar said it might not be possible for Pakatan Rakyat to achieve victory (in elections) if the remnants of sectarianism in the people were not defeated.

He said justice meant giving attention to and taking care of the poor, who comprised people of all communities, and cited the famous motto of Confucius: “All the people in this world are brothers”.

Anwar also said the three component parties of Pakatan Rakyat should focus specifically on young people who, he claimed, gave their support to the opposition pact.

PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, in his speech, said Pakatan Rakyat should strengthen its position and rectify shortcomings to avert the toppling of any of its state governments, as had happened in Perak.

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, in his speech, put forth the “5K” concept for every Malaysian — “Keadilan” (justice), “Kebebasan” (freedom), “Kebenaran” (truth), “Kebajikan” (welfare) and “Ketakwaan kepada Tuhan” (devotion to God).

Also present at the opening of the convention were PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, PKR deputy president Dr Syed Husin Ali, DAP chairman Karpal Singh and PAS deputy president Nasharudin Mat Isa. — BERNAMA