Mukhriz wishes for collaboration with Anwar at party level

The Umno rebel points out that this collaboration requires endorsement from Anwar Ibrahim and PKR in order to succeed.

(FMT) – Mukhriz Mahathir hopes that the meeting of his father, Dr Mahathir Mohamad, and Anwar Ibrahim last week will lead to official collaboration between the new Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) and PKR.

“We hope that it will progress towards an official collaboration at a party-to-party level,” he said last night. “It is important to get Anwar’s endorsement (for this cause), especially commitment from PKR itself.”

Mukhriz is pro-tem vice-president of Bersatu.

The former Kedah Menteri Besar was responding to the recent handshake between his father Mahathir and his arch nemesis Anwar, which had raised many questions by the public.

Last week, Mahathir made a surprise appearance at a High Court hearing of an application by an incarcerated Anwar to review the constitutionality of the controversial National Security Council (NSC) Act.

Mukhriz maintained that at present, the collaboration between Mahathir and Anwar was strictly on the NSC Act alone.

“From what I understood, Tun (Mahathir) had given his input on what should be included in Anwar’s affidavit which are some points he thinks would help in the case.”

Meanwhile, when quizzed on the possibilities of the general election being held next year, Mukhriz said that by hook or by crook, the Opposition must be ready to face the polls.

“The time for us to prepare is very short. Like it or not, we must be ready to face the election. There are also some assumptions made by certain quarters that the election could be held this year. So, no matter what happens, we must be ready.”

Among the preparations needed by the Opposition is to identify potential candidates and to also begin negotiations with other parties in the Opposition pact.

“By negotiations, we can avoid a clash of candidates. So, we must do this as soon as possible.”