Pakatan will win GE15, says Anwar
(Malaysiakini) – PKR president Anwar Ibrahim is confident that Pakatan Harapan will continue to secure the mandate of the rakyat in the next general election.
He said Perikatan Nasional’s poor governance and PAS’ latest position on the amendment of Syariah Courts ( Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965, also known as Act 355, will be key causes for the win.
In an interview with Sin Chew Daily, he said the opposition winning the snap polls would be the best scenario, while the worst situation would be when there is a stalemate with no single party commanding a clear-cut majority.
Political observers believed that the pairing of Umno and PAS under Muafakat Nasional would give them the edge as the total votes obtained by both parties exceeded those won by Harapan in the 2018 general election.
Anwar said: “This is merely a hypothetical calculation on the combine votes obtained by two parties. But, the general election will not be held only in Kuala Lumpur or Kelantan, but nationwide.
“Let’s not forget that PAS exited Pakatan Rakyat to push for Act 355. But after becoming part of the (PN) government, PAS ministers are similar to their counterparts from Umno and MCA who said they must study whether the amendment is constitutional.
“How can PAS explain to its supporters, when the party had pushed for it for 40 years but has softened its stance now? How could PAS justify this?”
On PN, he said the coalition is “in a mess” due to its flip-flop policies with investors facing obstacles.
Anwar, who acknowledged that a snap general election could be held by the year end, said Harapan must get ready and that it will start the process of seat negotiations.
He also denied that the meeting he had with Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and Home Minister Hamzah Zainuddin was to discuss the possibility of forming a political pact.
“No such thing, be it Harapan or Harapan Plus together with Muhyiddin and Hamzah. I met Muhyiddin because he is the prime minister while I am the opposition leader. We mainly discussed on Covid-19 and I asked him to allow Dewan Rakyat to debate plans implemented due to the pandemic.
“Yes, we did discuss the stability of the country. But no discussion on the formation of a new pact. Why? This is because I feel that Harapan is still the better choice,” Anwar said in the interview.
The PKR leader said he had informed DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng and PAS president Mohamad Sabu before and after the meeting took place.
“I also met Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man. I think we should have a new political culture by not treating all individuals as enemies,” he added.
Anwar also said he will commit to the promises of reform if he becomes the next prime minister.
“We need to reform. A country cannot just rely on the prime minister. It is important to have a system in place. If not, it will open the opportunity for corruption.”
He pledged to stimulate the economy and build a stable government that will implement firm and clear policies.
The Port Dickson MP said a leader must adopt a clear policy and advocate an ideology based on fairness and justice.
Only then, he stressed, the country will be able to get rid of its racial dilemma.
“We should see the problem of poverty and inequality. The economy is important, so are parliamentary and judicial reforms.
“But I will focus on the economy as the poor are being neglected and the unemployment rate is so high with around 860,000 losing their jobs. Just imagine a situation where one million households without income by year-end.”
Anwar said he wants to be the champion for all Malaysians instead of fighting for one single race.
