After Anwar Ibrahim’s statement withdrawing himself as prime minister candidate for Pakatan Harapan that had drawn various reactions, Lim Kit Siang today called for a month of moratorium by Pakatan Harapan leaders.

The DAP parliamentary leader said this is to avoid negative statements and background briefings which could be exploited to Pakatan Harapan’s detriment.

He admitted that in the past few months, there have been too many negative news, reports, and background write-ups about Pakatan Harapan, reinforcing the "malaise of public disappointment and disenchantment about the possibility of political and electoral change."

“The robust views, debates and differences in Pakatan Harapan and among PH leaders must continue, but within the four walls of Pakatan Harapan, as we must not give fodder to Umno and Barisan Nasional propagandists and cyber troopers to continue to concoct fake news and false information about Pakatan Harapan.

“For the coming month, let the robust views, debates, and differences in Pakatan Harapan continue within internal Pakatan Harapan councils and channels to build a Pakatan Harapan consensus and solidarity – away from the glare of hostile publicity and media attention.”

He said Pakatan Harapan parties and leaders should project a positive image to build a unified and cohesive pact and focus externally on the issues that concern Malaysians, like the 1MDB and FGV.

He urged Pakatan Harapan parties and leaders to re-ignite the hopes and dreams of Malaysians for electoral and political change in the next general election, which is likely to be held next year, although the possibility of polls in the last quarter of this year cannot be ruled out.

Anwar, the jailed de facto PKR leader last Saturday announced he will not offer himself as Pakatan Harapan's candidate for prime minister, which is to encourage Harapan to focus on the general election instead of squabbling over who will be prime minister if the opposition coalition wins.

He was also worried that Bersatu’s proposal to occupy both the position of chairperson and president in Pakatan Harapan may make the opposition coalition's structure too similar to BN.