Dr M: We are having a little problem with PKR
(The Star) – Pakatan Harapan chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (pic) admits that the Opposition is having some problems with PKR due to its uncertain stance regarding cooperation with PAS in the coming polls.
“We are having a little problem with PKR because Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has openly said they should continue to speak with PAS,” he said during a town hall session held at Perdana Leadership Foundation office here.
Anwar is the PKR adviser as well as the coalition’s de facto leader.
Dr Mahathir was responding to a question by a participant on why PKR was sending mixed messages to the public in terms of its stance over cooperation with the Islamist party.
The 92-year-old stressed that the Opposition coalition had collectively decided not to collaborate with PAS.
An extra party in the coalition would only make seat negotiations even harder, explained Dr Mahathir.
“If we accept PAS in the group, there will be five parties and they will insist to contest all of their previous seats. Not just the ones they have won.
“Then, there will no more seats left for others,” he said.
On Saturday, Anwar admitted to endorsing talks between his party and PAS about working together in the elections despite the Pakatan presidential council’s announcement last week not to cooperate with the Islamist party.
Subsequently, PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali reportedly said he felt vindicated after being criticised for holding informal talks over an alliance with PAS.
Meanwhile, the former premier also admitted that the country’s revenue was lower during his 22-year tenure compared to the country’s revenue now.
He said this when asked on a remark made by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak recently where he said that the Government would not have enough funds if the goods and services tax (GST) was abolished.
“But yet, we were able to do a lot of things. During my time, companies were not making much money, but they are now.
“So when they make billions in profit now, 26% of it belongs to the Government.
“So the Government should have more money now compared to my time. Why is it that there’s so much funds available but the Government says there’s no money and has to impose GST?” he asked.
