Will Anwar’s 22-year wait end soon?
The opposition leader must first show proof that he has the support of a ‘strong and convincing majority’ of MPs to the King.
DATUK Seri Anwar Ibrahim is almost within touching distance of his dream job if his claim of having the numbers is to be believed.
The opposition leader has secured an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and many are transfixed about what will happen at the palace on Tuesday.
It has been more than two weeks since Anwar dropped the bombshell that he has the numbers to form the next Federal Government and his hardcore supporters think his 22-year wait for the premiership is about to end.
Even those who believed that he would be the prime minister-in-waiting forever are having second thoughts.
Anwar seems immensely confident and has said that he will present documents to show he has the support of a “strong and convincing majority” of MPs.
“Going to the palace is a serious thing. There must be something there for him to seek an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong,” said an Umno MP.
There are few secrets in politics but Anwar’s numbers has got to be one of the best kept secrets so far.
Anwar’s partners in Pakatan Harapan are still in the dark as are his own party leaders.
His politician daughter Nurul Izzah is said to have been kept out of the loop on this takeover business.
Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who is expected to be at her husband’s side at the palace, would probably know but the lady is such a discreet keeper of secrets.
“Anwar has been very secretive, he is keeping his cards close to his chest. This is to avoid leaks,” said PKR vice-president and Tanjung Malim MP Chang Lih Kang.
Or as Anwar’s political secretary Farhash Wafa Salvador, who is privy to the information, put it: “This has to be kept secret or else there will be poaching and intimidation.”
Farhash also rubbished a list comprising 121 MPs who were allegedly supporting Anwar that was circulating last week. The list included a number of Umno MPs who had earlier denied that they supported Anwar.
“That did not come from us, we have nothing to do with it. That’s the work of people with too much time on their hands,” said Farhash.
The hype has been greatest in the Chinese press, with one newspaper speculating that Anwar has 123 MPs while another claimed he has as many as 126 MPs on his side.
If those numbers materialise, it could mean that Malaysia will have its third prime minister in a year.
But those who have been crunching the numbers say that Anwar’s quest would only be possible if he is also assured of support from Pejuang, Parti Warisan, Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) and Umno.
Support from Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s group of MPs is doubtful.
There is no love lost between the two men and the expression on Dr Mahathir’s face when commenting on Anwar’s bid for the premiership was a look that could have sunk a thousand ships.
Warisan president Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal was a contender for the top job but he is a horse with a broken leg after the Sabah debacle.
However, there is no reason why the Warisan MPs would not throw their support behind Anwar.
GPS, on the other hand, has declared that it
is standing by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has hinted of support from Umno MPs but his aides have said their boss is more interested in an early general election than in making Anwar the next prime minister.
But, as Farhash has often stressed, things are very fluid and anything can happen.
The Chinese media has been feeding what some see as an appetite among those Chinese who want to see Pakatan return to power.
There is still bitterness among many Chinese over the way Pakatan was toppled.
“I wouldn’t say the Chinese supporters of Pakatan are 100% convinced about the numbers but you get the impression they don’t mind having Anwar as the PM,” said political analyst Khaw Veon Szu.
However, Khaw pointed out that while it needs only a couple of MPs to jump for the government to lose its majority in Parliament, it will require much more for Anwar to form what he promises will be a strong and stable government.
The other thing is that Anwar would not be causing all these ripples if Muhyiddin had a solid majority in Parliament.
Muhyiddin’s government has been vulnerable from day one and the only way out is to call for fresh elections.
DAP politician Jeff Ooi, a columnist in two leading Chinese newspapers, said that changing affiliations in Parliament is common in politics all over the world.
“But we have people accusing Muhyiddin of leading a backdoor government.
“Yet these same people are now open to what is basically another backdoor government in the making. Where is the principle?” asked Ooi.
The palace doors have swung open for Anwar and it is now up to him to present his case to the King.
Those watching from outside need to know that the King can give his consent to a prime minister who commands the majority in Parliament, but it is a more complicated process for a sitting Prime Minister to be removed.
Much will depend on what Anwar is bringing to the table on Tuesday.
The countdown has begun and political careers may either end or begin depending on what happens that day.
The views expressed here are entirely the writer’s own.