Wan Azizah: Win GE first, then we discuss PM
(MMO) – Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail dismissed today calls for Pakatan Harapan to name its prime ministerial candidate before the 14th general elections.
The PKR president said it was more important to win the elections first and then decide the leader based on who has the most support from the other elected representatives.
“We have to win first, then only we can talk about who becomes the prime minister.
“The person that enjoys the majority of supports from the MP will be PM. That’s all,” she said in a news conference at her party headquarters here.
Dr Wan Azizah is married to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim who was previously named the Opposition’s prime minister-designate, but later withdrew his candidacy as he is still serving a five-year jail sentence for sodomy.
However, he is said to be the pact’s preferred choice for PM-designate, excepting Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) whose chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has even offered to warm the seat until Anwar can take over.
Dr Wan Azizah also refused to comment on Pakatan Harapan’s leadership structure, saying that it was still being discussed and a decision might only be made after the Hari Raya celebrations next week.
Parti Amanah Negara communications director Khalid Samad who was also present at the news conference said Anwar had not offered himself to be Pakatan’s PM candidate but was nominated by consensus from the four-party pact’s leaders.
Anwar’s withdrawal as such was to prevent internal strife over the issue, Khalid added.
“The main purpose Anwar withdrew so that this discussion will not happen. We have to focus on winning,” the Shah Alam MP said.
Pakatan Harapan will hold an “emergency meeting” on June 28 in Parliament to discuss the latest development concerning the US Justice Department’s civil lawsuits against 1Malaysia Development Berhad.
Dr Wan Azizah said the meeting is open to all Opposition party leaders.
“I as the Malaysian Opposition leader invite all Opposition party leaders and whips to an emergency meeting,” she said.
