Anwar downplays Karpal’s plan

CONSENSUS: Says Pakatan has agreed on Malay Muslim candidate for PM

(NST) – It seems DAP stalwart Karpal Singh’s struggle to have a non-Malay as prime minister was effectively watered down by opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday.

Anwar told a press conference that he was the most suitable candidate for the premiership as agreed by Pakatan Rakyat leaders, who had reached a consensus that a Malay Muslim should head the government should the opposition win the next general election.

“Pakatan Rakyat has decided that (its) prime minister (candidate), which is very clear, for the next general election is a Malay Muslim. We believe that this is a policy issue that is fair to all.”

When asked, Anwar said Karpal’s opinion was based on the Constitution, whose articles and content the Parti Keadilan Rakyat adviser said he would not question.

“What Karpal had said was based on the spirit of the Constitution. But the decision (on prime minister candidate) was made in tandem with the current (situation).

“Even DAP had announced that should Pakatan Rakyat win the elections, Anwar Ibrahim will be featured (as prime minister) candidate)… and I’m a Malay Muslim, although some of the Umno people think that I’m Chinese,” he said, but did not elaborate how the consensus was reached.

Earlier, Anwar held a meeting with several Chinese businessmen together with Johor PKR chief Datuk Chua Jui Meng.

It was reported on online news portals that Karpal had recently voiced his preference to have Penang chief minister and DAP secretary Lim Guan Eng as prime minister at a function in George Town.