Don’t offer yourself as PM candidate, PKR Youth tells Dr M
KUALA LUMPUR: PKR Youth has urged former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad not to contest in the 14th General Election (GE14) or offer himself as Pakatan Harapan’s prime ministerial candidate.
PKR Youth deputy chief Dr Afif Bahardin yesterday said Dr Mahathir, who is Parti
Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) chairman, should step aside to allow the younger generation to lead the government.
This followed jailed former opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s call for Pakatan Harapan leaders to focus on winning GE14 and stop harping on the prime ministerial candidate issue.
“We are saddened by Anwar’s stand to not offer himself as a PM candidate. We respect his decision. It shows how big-hearted he is, prioritising the ‘Reformasi’ agenda.
“We also deeply respect Dr Mahathir’s role in joining the Reformasi movement to face Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Barisan Nasional.
“However, to give space to future leaders who have vigour and the charisma to lead, we hope Dr Mahathir will promise that he will not offer himself to contest (in GE14) or as PM-designate.”
Last month, during the PKR National Congress, Pakatan Harapan leaders held up placards bearing the words “Anwar as 7th PM”.
Dr Mahathir and PPBM president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin did not join in, sparking speculation that the duo did not agree with Pakatan Harapan’s choice.
Some opposition leaders criticised Dr Mahathir and told the countr y ’s longestserving prime minister to “back off ” as he was “the new kid” in the opposition.
In a June 6 report in the Nikkei Asian Review, Dr Mahathir said he would offer himself for the PM’s position if no one from the opposition stepped up.
Commenting further, Afif said Dr Mahathir should hold an advisory role with Anwar if Pakatan Harapan won GE14.