PKR polls problems won’t affect Pakatan’s chances in next GE: Anwar

(The Star) – Pakatan Rakyat’s chances in the next general election will not be affected by the alleged problems in the recent PKR polls, says Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He said he did not think the polls would be a challenge for the coalition as action was already taken to rectify problems in the direct elections system implemented in PKR and they were transparent in their actions.

Anwar was responding to speculation that the Barisan Nasional may use the alleged problems in the PKR polls to gain support from voters in the next general election.

“I think they are just using as many issues as they can (against us),” he told a press conference attended by various Pakatan leaders at the Parliament building Wednesday.

“We have many veteran leaders such as DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang and PAS secretary-general Datuk Mustafa Ali who are so used to such situations. So I think we are ready,” Anwar said.

Asked if the distribution of seats was being planned, he said that Pakatan’s preparations at the current stage were focused on strengthening its understanding on issues such as those in Sabah and Sarawak.

“We will deal with the seat distribution later,” he added.

PAS deputy president Nasharudin Mat Isa said Pakatan was gearing up for the general election starting with a programme with the rakyat in Penang on Dec 18 and the coalition’s convention on the next day.

“The programmes that we will be planning are to do with the strengthening of Pakatan as an alternative to the present Government,” he said.

He said although several issue have cropped up in the component parties, the coalition will continue to raise issues plaguing the rakyat.