‘NO CLEAR LEADER IN PAKATAN’
Functions of pact’s highest posts not clear, says Khairy
PAKATAN Harapan’s decision to place three Malay leaders in the pact’s highest posts is a tactical move to secure the Malay votes, said Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin yesterday.
Commenting on the absence of DAP leaders in the pact’s top leadership, Khairy said the opposition was desperate to win the support of Malays ahead of the 14th General Election.
“It is widely known that DAP has the most number of parliamentary seats among Pakatan Harapan parties. DAP is the powerhouse, but none of its leaders are part of the pact’s top leadership structure.
“I believe that DAP will (have the final say) on Pakatan’s policies. The people should not be duped by the tactical move,” he said after opening Jerantut Umno division’s Wanita, Puteri and Youth annual meetings here yesterday.
On Thursday, Pakatan Harapan finalised its leadership structure, naming Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as its de facto leader, and Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad as the chairman of the alliance. Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who is Anwar’s wife and PKR president, was appointed president.
Khairy said the lack of demarcation in the roles of the pact’s chairman, de facto leader and president would spell trouble for Pakatan Harapan.
“I have never seen or read about any party with a de facto leader, chairman and president... we do not know the differences between the three posts and who will have the final say in making decisions.”
In Seri Manjung, Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir echoed Khairy’s sentiments, saying the Pakatan Harapan top leadership would experience difficulties in making decisions.
“Who is going to be the (real) decision maker, even though they said everything will be done via consensus?” said Zambry at his Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house here yesterday.
In a statement yesterday, however, DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang denied claims that the party wanted to deceive Malay voters.
He said Pakatan Harapan parties were equal and operated on the principle of consensus. Lim also refuted claims that he was controlling the Malay leaders in the coalition.
“The Chinese will not grab the political power from Malays as Malay political power in Malaysia is assured, with the prime minister from Pakatan Harapan a Malay and not a Chinese or non-Malay.” Additional reporting by Fernando Fong