PAKATAN STILL AT ODDS OVER PM CHOICE
PKR’s choice, Anwar, not roundly supported by others
PAKATAN Harapan remains at odds over its choice for prime minister although it has yet to step into the battleground. On one end, PKR secretarygeneral Datuk Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the matter might be resolved or discussed at the pact’s presidential meeting next Friday, where the loose coalition’s logo was expected to be unveiled.
However, PKR vice-president Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin was adamant that the pact had reached a consensus that jailed opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was its prime minister-designate.
“Since the formation of Pakatan Harapan, the consensus was for Anwar to be named as our only prime ministerial candidate, should we win.
“So, the question on who will be our prime minister is not an issue and it should not be raised anymore,” he said yesterday.
Parti Amanah Negara (PAN) communications director Khalid Samad, on the other hand, said Pakatan Harapan must first win the 14th General Election (GE14) before naming a prime ministerial candidate, adding that it was premature for it to gloat over the issue.
“It’s too early to name names. We must win first.
“Then, whoever is chosen, that person must accept the responsibility given.
“The person must also accept the conditions laid out by Pakatan Harapan, such as on the decision-making mechanism, the period of time he or she will be prime minister, and also accept Pakatan Harapan’s manifesto and policies,” he said.
The prime ministerial candidate fiasco started when PKR, during its national congress last month, unanimously named Anwar as its prime minister-designate, with party leaders holding placards bearing the words “Anwar as the 7th PM”.
However, former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin refrained from doing so, which sparked speculation that the duo disagreed with their allies on the subject.
Talk in the opposition coalition revealed that many leaders, such as former cabinet minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, wanted Dr Mahathir to be the prime minister, again.
Universiti Utara Malaysia political pundit Dr Mohd Azizuddin Mohd Sani said while the nonagenarian had vast experience in politics, economy and international relations, age was a factor that should not be ignored.
“I don’t think Dr Mahathir is suitable to be the next prime minister because, firstly, he is 92 years old.
“And, secondly he was the prime minister for 22 years.
“It doesn’t look like he has the energy to run a country (again).
“Maybe he can either become a spiritual leader, like the late Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat or become an adviser like the late Lee Kuan Yew (in Singapore),” he said, adding that Dr Mahathir should leave the leadership to the new generation.
When asked on why there were more calls for Dr Mahathir to become the next prime minister should the opposition capture Putrajaya, Azizuddin said it was because Pakatan Harapan needed a better candidate in fighting against the Barisan Nasional-led government.
He said no one from the opposition had shone and proven that he or she was a worthy opponent to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
“Previously, they had Anwar.
“But, we know it’s impossible for Anwar to be the prime minister after GE14 and Wan Azizah is not really suitable to take on the job.
“Same goes for other parties in Pakatan Harapan.
“So it leaves PPBM, because they have Muhyiddin and behind Muhyiddin, there’s Dr Mahathir who, even in his 90s, proves that he still has a powerful image,” he added.