‘PAS does not reject Anwar as PM’
Shah Alam MP, Khalid Samad, dismisses allegations that PAS is unhappy over Anwar Ibrahim as the choice candidate for PM.
Lisa J. Ariffin, FMT
PAS is solidly behind Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim as the candidate for prime minister should Pakatan Rakyat win federal power in the next general election, said Khalid Samad.
The Shah Alam MP said the party’s silence on the matter was to take the focus off Anwar as an individual, not because they disagreed with supporting him as PM.
He also dismissed allegations that the party has been ‘bowing down’ to its coalition partners and deviating from its original goals for the sake of holding Pakatan together.
“PAS does not bow down to anybody. Pakatan works on consensus. Whatever needs to be done or is being done, has to be agreed by all three parties,” said Khalid.
“PAS has been playing down the issue because it would create a problem when BN is consistently indulging in character assassination of Anwar to discredit Pakatan.
“The final decision of who becomes PM will be endorsed by Pakatan and accepted fully by the coalition. If DAP and PKR support him, there is no reason for PAS not to,” he added.
“We will place the names of leaders on the table and decide who is best choice for PM. If two parties voice their support for Anwar, then it will most likely be Anwar.”
‘Our is battle to change the government’
Khalid said PAS is cautious in voicing support for Anwar as he “may lose in the area he is contesting” and Pakatan would then “not be able to deliver the candidate it said would be PM”.
