The person who will lead the new Pakatan Harapan will be the most qualified person to do so, and race has nothing to do with it.

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng told a press conference that the leader will be someone who can represent all Malaysians, and those wishing to join the coalition must subscribe to the "Malaysian framework'.

"If Pakatan Harapan were to choose PKR de-facto leader Anwar Ibrahim as the prime minister, it does not mean we want to cater to only Malays, and not the non-Malays. 

"If he (Anwar) is chosen, it would be because he is the most qualified to do so," said Lim, who is also DAP secretary-general. 

He said this when replying to a question on why DAP stalwart Lim Kit Siang (who is also Guan Eng's father), was not chosen as the "symbol" or adviser to the new Harapan. 

According to Lim, BN would try to paint the decision to appoint PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and Bersatu chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad as symbols of the new opposition pact as a racially-motivated one, but Harapan rejects this. 

Bersatu recently joined Harapan as its fourth member. 

The chief minister said all members in Harapan are "equal partners" and that the coalition is yet to pick its advisers. 

However, DAP has decided on four of its leaders who will represent the party in Harapan's pro-tem committee, said Lim, without elaborating further. 

“We have suggested four names from our party to be in the membership application that will be submitted to Registrar of Societies,” he added.