Dr M: We’ve Plan B and Plan C

Ex-premier fears Opposition coalition may not be registered in time for polls

Pakatan Harapan already has contingency plans in case its application to register itself as a coalition is rejected by the Registrar of Societies (RoS), said Pakatan chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (pic).

He expressed worry that the coalition might not be registered in time for the coming general election as it had not heard from RoS.

“We have our Plan B and Plan C (in the event that Pakatan does not get registered). We will not tell youlah what it is,” said Dr Mahathir to a question posed at Pakatan’s weekly press conference here.

The former prime minister said until today, it had not heard from RoS on whether Pakatan’s application had even been considered.

“It is our right to have Pakatan Harapan registered, unless we have done something wrong. If we did anything wrong, then tell us.

“At first they (RoS) told us our logo could not be accepted. So we changed it, according to their wish.

“But now, they don’t tell us anything. They don’t even acknowledge that they have received our application, or show in any way that our application is being considered,” said Dr Mahathir.

The application was submitted in July last year.

The Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia chairman also spoke about a seemingly concerted effort within his party to sabotage Pakatan’s registration.

“There have been many reports lodged by Pribumi members with the RoS, claiming that our annual general assembly was not legitimate.

“Of course, if the RoS is of the opinion that our assembly was not legitimate, then the application to register Pakatan as a coalition would be affected and could be rejected. We are baffled how 400 different people can lodge the same report, using the same words to the RoS.

“So there seems to be a concerted effort by certain quarters to force RoS to reject Pakatan’s application,” Dr Mahathir claimed.

On another matter, Dr Mahathir said top government posts such as the Attorney-General or the Inspector-General of Police will be vetted by a bipartisan committee, should Pakatan be elected government.

“If we get into power, we will ensure that the Opposition will also have a role in many things, including being involved in the appointment of top-ranking posts.

“Even the appointment of the parliament speaker will be decided by this bipartisan committee.

“We will stress on bipartisanship on many issues. This is part of our pledge to the voters,” said Dr Mahathir.