KUALA LUMPUR: A new opposition coalition will be formed soon and will work with progressive groups, said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, urging Malaysians to come together to save the country.

In a message released through his lawyers on Tuesday, the jailed PKR de facto leader voiced his worries about the state of the country, which he described as going through a “worsening crisis” due to corruption and financial scandals, as well as a plummeting ringgit.

Malaysia has been gripped by the scandal of state investment vehicle 1Malaysia Development Bhd,  which has impacted the ringgit.

“We are working towards a strengthened coalition which will work together with all progressive forces, including NGOs (non-governmental organisations) such as the Bersih coalition, Abim (Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia), Ikram and the newly formed Gerakan Harapan Baru (GHB).

“This coming together of a wide range of groups committed to reform and change will offer a genuine democratic and just alternative to the rakyat (people).

“Let us all put aside all other considerations and differences, and focus on this great struggle to save Malaysia,” Anwar said in the message.

The now defunct Pakatan Rakyat opposition pact, comprising PKR and its allies DAP and PAS, ceased to exist when the Islamist party made a decision at its muktamar (general assembly) last month to sever ties with DAP.

Former PAS deputy president Mohammad Sabu, better known as Mat Sabu, said previously the new opposition pact would be unveiled after Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

Last month, opposition leader Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail acknowledged that Pakatan no longer exists, following PAS’ motion at its muktamar to sever ties with DAP over the Islamist party’s objective to implement hudud.

DAP is against PAS’ move to implement the Islamic penal code.

GHB, or the New Hope Movement, was launched last week by a group of progressive PAS leaders ousted in the fractious party elections in June, including Mat Sabu and former senior leaders Khalid Samad, Dr Mohd Hatta Ramli and Datuk Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa. — The Malaysian Insider

This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, on July 23, 2015.