Pakatan has simple majority to form federal govt
(The Sun Daily) – It will be the dawn of a new era for the nation after Pakatan Harapan defeated the Barisan Nasional to clinch victory in the 14th General Election.
Led by former prime minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, PH won a total 116 of the total 222 parliamentary seats as of press time to achieve a simple majority.
The overwhelming mandate by the people saw PH take control of six states – Selangor, Penang, Kedah, Perak, Negri Sembilan, Malacca and Johor, which was regarded as an Umno bastion.
The swing of votes was also seen in the states of Sabah and Sarawak which were also earlier perceived as safe deposits for the BN.
Sarawak especially saw PH sweep 10 of the 31 parliamentary seats, while in Sabah, Warisan, which is also aligned to PH, made inroads by winning six seats, while DAP (3) and PKR (2).
In a packed press conference, Dr Mahathir, flanked by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Amanah president, Mohamad Sabu, said the swearing in of the new prime minister would be done today.
He also announced that PKR president, Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail would be the new deputy prime minister. Dr Wan Azizah was absent as she was seeking the royal consent from Istana Negara to form the government.
The appointment of Dr Wan Azizah would be a first appointment of a woman as the deputy prime minister in the nation’s history.
“The palace has called us and they have heard of our unofficial majority. The EC has not officially informed them yet but the palace told us to inform them when we received majority according to our own count,” he said.
“Apart from the EC being slow to announce the results, everything has gone on smoothly. Now we have already received the majority and we are ready to be sworn in at the palace later today.
“We will also work on Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s pardon so that he can be the prime minister in waiting. But before that, he must stand for elections after pardoned because one can only become prime minister if he is an MP or a senator,” he said.
He also added that they have not decided on ministers as yet as he needs to be sworn in first.
“I have four component party presidents to deal with here … this will be a major headache when it comes to appointing ministers,” he said in jest.
Dr Mahathir stepped down as the nation’s fourth and the longest-serving prime minister after 22 years in October 2003. He returned to active politics and formed Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) in September 2016.
He also declared today (Friday) and tomorrow as a public holiday to thank the voters for their support in helping PH get to Putrajaya.
