Gerakan Harapan Baru fuels speculation that Pakatan 2.0 is underway

KUALA LUMPUR: The announcement by Gerakan Harapan Baru (Movement for New Hope) of its transition into a political party soon has heightened speculation that Pakatan Rakyat 2.0 is indeed underway.
The call for a new opposition coalition, after the defunct tripartite cooperation between PKR, DAP and PAS, was first made by current GHB chairman Mohamed Sabu early this month.
According to the former PAS deputy president, the new political party will focus on Islamic struggles with an inclusive and progressive approach, with membership open to all Malaysians. Such a stand taken by GBH is seen as favourable to its liberal allies DAP and PKR.
Appealing to its two former Pakatan Rakyat partners is not surprising as GHB's leadership consists of prominent, 'progressive leaders' of PAS who were wiped out in the party's recent muktamar.
With the ongoing scuffle between DAP and PAS, it was hard to see the tahaluf siyasi upheld since the 2008 general election (GE) carrying on for the sake of unseating Barisan Nasional in the next election.
Even if the broken ties were mended, the rivalry between DAP and PAS has served enough evidence for the rakyat to doubt both parties can work together if they manage to take over Putrajaya.
Therefore, the only viable solution was to establish a 'new' opposition coalition to serve as a check and balance to our democratic system.
Question is, will there be room for PAS to be included in the new pact?
Based on the current situation, it is difficult to see that happening.
A truce is still possible, but there's no hiding the fact that both parties are still at war.
As long as DAP and PAS are at loggerheads, chances are that Pakatan 2.0 will be sidelining PAS, and grab the "new hope" to fill the vacuum.