Anwar has always been Pakatan’s choice for PM, says PKR’s Saifuddin

(feedly.com) – Hitting back at DAP, PKR outlines its version of what transpired in a recent series of high-powered meetings among the opposition parties, and once again insisted Pakatan Harapan’s prime minister candidate has always been Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Party secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution said former Prime Minister and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad nominated himself to be the ninth prime minister during the Pakatan Harapan Plus meetings and this was supported by Parti Warisan Negara president Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal.

Pakatan Harapan Plus is the moniker given to the loose coalition between Pakatan and the former Bersatu leaders who support Dr Mahathir.

Saifuddin said Dr Mahathir had stated Anwar could not be PM because he leads a multi-racial party.

In a statement on June 18, Saifuddin said that he would explain the issue pertaining to returning the mandate of the people.

“In the past few days, a few Pakatan’s friends have asked and explained about the Pakatan and Pakatan Harapan Plus discussions.

“On May 30, the Pakatan presidential council has agreed to present the Pakatan suggestion to propose Anwar as the ninth PM to Dr Mahathir.

“On June 1, Mohamad Sabu (Parti Amanah Negara president), Anthony Loke (DAP organising secretary) and I represented the Pakatan presidential council in a meeting with Dr Mahathir.

“In that meeting, Dr Mahathir did not refuse the proposal of Anwar as the PM candidate and informed that he needs to speak to Bersatu MPs who are with him and Shafie. There were no other options discussed then.

“On June 3, the Pakatan presidential council met and decided that Anwar needs to meet Shafie on the proposal of the former as the PM candidate and a meeting of the top leadership of the Pakatan Harapan Plus needs to be held.

“On June 4, Anwar met Shafie and informed him of the Pakatan’s decision.

“On June 9, a meeting of Pakatan Harapan Plus was held at the PKR headquarters. All parties of Pakatan raised Anwar as the PM candidate, whereas Dr Mahathir begged to be given six months as the PM.

“Dr Mahathir also said that Anwar cannot be the PM as he leads a multi-racial party.

“Anwar replied that in the event of a transition after six months, he would still be the president of a multi-racial party. The meeting decided to make a decision within a week.

“On June 12, the Pakatan presidential council met and decided to send Khalid Samad (Amanah), Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar (PKR) and Loke to meet Shafie and Dr Mahathir.

“On June 13, Pakatan Harapan Plus leaders met and proposed Anwar as the PM candidate. Dr Mahathir said that he still wants to be the PM candidate and six months duration will not be sufficient. He argued he needed 12 months to right solve the problems created by not only former PM Datuk Seri Najib Razak but also by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

“Shafie however said six months should suffice. Dr Mahathir did not set the time and Pakatan remained with its stand that Anwar be the PM candidate,” said Saifuddin.

He said Pakatan then agreed to decide on June 16 but the meeting had to be postponed as Anwar was away in Sarawak.

“It is therefore untrue that Pakatan suggested another name other than Anwar as the PM candidate. In fact, Dr Mahathir proposed his own name and seconded by Shafie. No conclusive decision was made at the Pakatan Harapan Plus meeting.

“The PKR supreme council will meet tomorrow (June 19) and the party’s stand will be finalised,” said Saifuddin.

The issue of the PM candidate has been a bone of contention between parties in Pakatan Harapan Plus.