Dr M Pakatan’s choice for PM
> PH will seek pardon for Anwar to allow him to become 8th PM
SHAH ALAM: Pakatan Harapan (PH) has officially named former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad as its prime minister candidate.
In an announcement made at the coalition’s convention, PH also agreed to PKR president Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ibrahim becoming deputy prime minister.
Both leaders will work hand-in-hand once the opposition coalition manages to form the federal government after the 14th General Election (GE14).
The announcement was made by PH secretary-general Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah at a convention held at Ideal Convention Centre.
The announcement, which was made as a formal agreement and signed by all leaders of PH, was greeted with shouts of “Hidup Tun” and “Hidup Kak Wan” by hundreds of members in support of the decision.
Mahathir, who was accused of jailing former opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in the 90s, had joined the opposition in his aim to topple the Barisan Nasional government.
Saifuddin also said that the process to obtain a royal pardon for Anwar would be made immediately after PH had formed government.
“This is to allow Datuk Seri Anwar to immediately assume a role in the federal government and become a candidate for the 8th prime minister,” he said.
Saifuddin also said parliamentary seat negotiation in the peninsular between PH component parties had been concluded, with Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM), headed by Mahathir, gaining the most seats.
Under the agreement, PPBM was allocated 52 seats, PKR (51), DAP (35) and Parti Amanah Negara (27).
The coalition would also make several reforms to the administration once it assumed power after GE14, as provided in its 13-point manifesto.
Among the reforms are to restrict the position of prime minister to only two terms in ensuring the best practice of democracy.
Key positions in the country’s institutions, such as the Attorney-General and Inspector General of Police, will be free from political influences.
These positions would be vetted by the Parliamentary Select Committee before their appointment by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.