Zaid hits out at PKR for its ‘arrogance’
THE former de facto law minister and now DAP member says PKR shows a lack of finesse in naming Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as its choice for prime minister. But DAP MP Charles Santiago, labelling Dr Mahathir a ‘new kid on the block’, has an entirely differe
THE debacle on the opposition’s prime minister-designate continues with DAP member Datuk Zaid Ibrahim criticising PKR for its “arrogance” in naming de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as prime minister-designate.
In his call for Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad instead to be reserved for the top post, Zaid also lambasted PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli for criticising comments made by the former de facto law minister.
Zaid said the designation of Anwar as future prime minister, which was made at PKR’s 12th National Congress on Sunday, was not collectively made through discussions with opposition parties in Sabah and Sarawak.
The former cabinet minister, who quit a string of opposition parties before joining DAP in February, said PKR had lacked “finesse” and disrespected 92-year-old Dr Mahathir and PPBM president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin by promoting Anwar at the congress.
“We do not even know who the parliamentarians from Sabah and Sarawak will want as prime minister.
“Shouldn’t we discuss the matter with them? We must not assume that PPBM has no wish to nominate a PM designate or that they have no allies.
“PKR is Anwar’s party, of course, but do they need to wave the placards? What is baffling is the arrogance in picking the prime minister-designate from their group when they have won nothing yet.”
Zaid said on the contrary, Dr Mahathir would fit the bill better since Anwar had not received full support from opposition supporters for the post.
“It will be better if PPBM nominates its PM designate. Not every opposition supporter wants Anwar as PM. PPBM can, for example, nominate Muhyiddin, or Dr Mahathir.
“But, for me, and many of my friends, young and old, we will nominate Dr Mahathir. We will push for Dr Mahathir as prime minister simply because he is the best for the job.”
Later, in a series of tweets, Zaid slammed Rafizi for accusing him of playing “checkered politics”.
“If Rafizi is the future of Msia (sic), then we really have no future.
“Here is the man who is scathing against anyone he disagrees with.
“Just because I don’t think Anwar can win the election for the opposition does not make my career useless. Rafizi says I have checkered political career. How? Must I go to jail to be a hero (?),” he tweeted.
KUALA LUMPUR: PKR’s decision to appoint its de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as prime minister-designate is not necessarily accepted by Pakatan Harapan members, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said.
In an interview with Free Malaysia Today, Dr Mahathir, who is now Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) chairman, clarified speculation that he and party president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin did not agree with the opposition pact naming Anwar as their prime minister-candidate.
Earlier in the interview, Dr Mahathir said he was not interested in being prime minister again.
“We were there (at 12th PKR national congress) as guests. We are from a different party. And when the gimmick (raising placards in support of Anwar as seventh prime minister) was held, it only reflected PKR’s wish as a party.
“Hence, we cannot be forced to adhere to PKR’s wish through such methods. We (PPBM) are of the opinion that (on the appointment of prime minister-designate), there are four parties (DAP, PKR, Parti Amanah Negara and PPBM can hold talks together) and then we can see who they want to pick.”
Dr Mahathir said through discussions, there could be a number of candidates.
“We need to have options. When we are in a coalition, we cannot just turn the wish of a single party into the common wish of a coalition.”
He hinted against the actions of PKR in throwing only a single name into the hat, and said it was more important to focus on winning the next general election.
“If we lose, then no one can be the prime minister (from the opposition). What is more important for us is to win the election.
“Also if we win, it does not mean we can simply put forth anyone for the post, unless (the individual) has been unanimously agreed by all.”
He also reminded his partners that laws could prohibit Anwar’s ascension as prime minister.