‘Seat allocations settled because of Amanah’

Reports by WANI MUTHIAH, ALLISON LAI, RAHIMY RAHIM, RAHMAH GHAZALI and FATIMAH ZAINAL. Photos by K.K. SHAM and NORAFIFI EHSAN

SHAH ALAM: The issue of seat allocations among the Pakatan Harapan parties was settled because of Parti Amanah Negara’s magnanimous stance, said Pakatan chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

“Amanah was generous, and finally we were able to settle the seat allocations,” he said in his speech at the Pakatan convention.

He said PKR had made many demands as opposed to DAP, which did not make as many demands but asked for certain seats which they received.

“PKR made many demands but they did not get what they wanted,” he added.

On another matter, Dr Mahathir, who is Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia chairman, admitted that it was not easy for him to collaborate and work together with those who were once hostile towards him.

“But in life, there are some things you have to leave behind as you move forward,” he said.

He acknowledged that it must have been difficult for those in Pakatan partner parties to work with him as they were once against his leadership, his policies and his conduct when he was prime minister.

“But I realise they are also leaving behind the past and moving forward,” he added.

He noted it must have also been tough for PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to shake his hands and accept him as a leader as it was during his tenure that Anwar was sent to prison.

“Not only Anwar, but also his family as they suffered for 20 years and for them to forget about it is not easy,” he added.

Dr Mahathir said it was devastating for him to leave Umno which he was a member since 1946 and also president for 22 years.

“Since I joined Umno, I had fought for my party but now I am fighting against it. It is not easy for me to destroy the party I had loved for 60 years,” he said, claiming that Umno now is heading towards the “wrong” path.

Dr Mahathir said he knew that even if he formed his own party, he would not be able to destroy Umno and Barisan Nasional without working together with the other Opposition parties.

However, he said Pakatan parties knew that working with Pribumi will counter the concerns of the Malays who worry they will lose out under Pakatan rule.

For example, those in rural areas have yet to understand liberalism.

“That is why Pribumi is not a multi-racial party,” he said.