Anwar allays unease over crossovers

It is important that the Pakatan Harapan coalition government reassures the people of their commitment to reforms for a better Malaysia, says PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

“What should I say? ... Well, the reform agenda would not be hijacked (despite the acceptance of the defectors from the previous ruling party and coalition). I think we owe it to the public who have sup- ported us,” he said.

He added Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) has every right to embrace and accept defectors from the previous ruling party, as long as it does not contravene and go against Pakatan’s understanding and agreement for reforms.

He reassured Pakatan coalition partners and concerned Malaysians that the series of defections by Umno MPs to Bersatu would not be allowed to hijack the declared reform agenda.

“Bersatu president and Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had given the much-needed assurance at Pakatan meetings that he is committed and will subscribe to the Pakatan policies and agenda as promised to the people,” he added.

Anwar earlier gave a talk on Confronting Authoritarianism at the Munk School of Global Affairs at the University of Toronto here yesterday

A nationwide political tsunami in May 2018 toppled the Barisan government in which Umno was the dominant party.

In an electoral understanding among Pakatan partners, Dr Mahathir would serve for two years as Prime Minister and hand over power to Anwar. — Bernama