Discontentment in Pribumi-Pakatan ties
Party’s Youth chief questions Pakatan’s placard stunt
PETALING JAYA: Cracks between Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia and Pakatan Harapan’s leadership have appeared following the “placard” stunt at the PKR congress over the weekend.
Pribumi Youth chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (pic) said his party’s top leaders had been “forced” and “trapped” to state their support for PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and her husband, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, as the seventh Prime Minister.
“What happened at the PKR congress was very saddening and disappointing.
“Tun Dr Mahathir (Mohamad) and Pribumi were clearly attacked when the congress was supposed to be a united front,” he said in an open letter to Pakatan leaders yesterday.
Questioning the motive behind the placard stunt, Syed Saddiq said there was no prior discussion with Pribumi on who would be the future Prime Minister.
“When they (Dr Mahathir and Pribumi president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin) did not raise the placards like the other leaders, they were publicly humiliated,” he said.
Previously, Dr Mahathir had not endorsed Anwar as a candidate for Prime Minister should the Opposition win the general election but suggested that the post be given to Muhyiddin.
On Sunday, Pakatan leaders, including DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang and Parti Amanah Negara president Mohamad Sabu, held up “Anwar 7th PM” placards.
However, Dr Mahathir was seen using his mobile phone while Muhyiddin merely smiled and clapped his hands.
Defending the Pribumi leaders during the congress, Syed Saddiq said they had signed the petition calling for Anwar’s release from prison.
Syed Saddiq also took a swipe at the Pakatan leadership for putting the interest of an individual above that of the rakyat, whom they claimed to champion.
“Do they think the people’s support, especially from the Malays, will be with them with this kind of attitude which could damage the strength of Pakatan?” he asked.
Syed Saddiq suggested Pakatan set up an independent body to carry out a poll on who should be shortlisted as candidates for the Prime Minister’s post, rather than leaving this to the “elitists” within the group.