Pakatan Rakyat, a loose coalition of three parties - PKR, DAP and PAS - is considering registering the opposition pact under a common logo with the Registrar of Societies (ROS).

“We are discussing the matter now and sorting out the details before we can register the coalition,” said Perak DAP chief Ngeh Koo Ham at the conclusion of Pakatan’s first-ever national convention held today in Ipoh.

ngeh koo ham Ngeh said Pakatan was well aware of ROS’ demand that a minimum of seven political parties must be members of a coalition before it can be registered.

“That is what ROS had told us. But upon checking the Societies Act 1966, we found that the condition applies only to associations that want to go national, not political parties,” he said.

“ROS has agreed to this fact and this is a non-issue now.”

Ngeh said 10 resolutions have been passed at today’s Pakatan convention, which included the formation of a committee to work towards achieving a common logo and platform for Pakatan.

This one-day meet was attended by top Pakatan leaders including Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, Kelantan Menteri Besar Nik Aziz Nik Mat and ousted Perak Menteri Besar Mohamad Nizar Jamaluddin.

Selangor was represented by one of its exco members as Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim had to attend to prior commitments in his state, while PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim has gone overseas.

About 600 representatives from the three Pakatan parties from across the country attended at the convention held at the Syuen Hotel.

To strengthen the unity of Pakatan, coalition members will be encouraged to look beyond race and religion, said Ngeh.

According to the DAP leader, Pakatan has vowed to strengthen its resolve to serve the people and not to fall into the trap set by the ruling BN coalition to split the opposition alliance.

The following resolutions were passed at the convention:

  • To uphold the principles of collective decisions by way of discussions as a way of solving coalition problems.
  • To form Pakatan councils at all levels of member parties in order to strengthen unity.
  • To increase cooperation within Pakatan to ensure the downfall of Umno/BN and to address suspicions or prejudices among the three member parties.
  • To eradicate the racial doctrine at its roots and enhance Pakatan's relationship with the people, civil servants, NGOs, the palace and politicians.
  • To select Pakatan candidates with good reputation and who have the passion to serve the people to run for state and federal elections.
  • To focus on the personal development programmes of party members in order to counter the political tactics of BN.
  • To continue with the five principles - justice, freedom, truth, welfare and devotion to God.
  • To create the feeling of togetherness in Pakatan so that members will understand the struggle of the other component parties.
  • To spread information of Pakatan activities to ensure that the people get correct information and not influenced by Umno/BN propaganda.
  • To form a committee to expedite the registration of Pakatan as a party with the use of a common logo.