Pakatan Harapan should commission an independent survey to gauge the popularity of its shortlisted candidates for the prime minister's post, said Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) Youth chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.

Two days after PKR's 7th National Congress, which saw Harapan leaders endorsing the party's plan to appoint jailed former opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim as the next prime minister, Syed Saddiq said in an open letter that the decision must be returned to the people.

"That is why I have proposed for an independent survey to be commissioned urgently, not by PKR, Bersatu or Amanah.

"Through this strategy, we will be able to identify who are the charismatic leaders supported by the people and use it as a guideline for Harapan's discussion as to who would be most qualified to lead Malaysia," he added.

This, he said, would also be in line with Anwar's message in his own letter from prison that any decisions made should be decided by the people instead of just a group of elites or top leaders.

At the same time, he also expressed regret over attacks against Bersatu chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamed and president Muhyiddin Yassin, both of whom did not join the other Harapan leaders in raising placards which proclaimed Anwar as the next prime minister.

Syed Saddiq said the presence of both the leaders at the congress proved their support for the movement to free Anwar from prison.

As such, he went on to question the motive behind the attacks by certain Harapan leaders while pointing out that there has been no consensus on the federal opposition's prime minister candidate.

"Is there satisfaction and pride behind their action to embarrass Tun (Mahathir), Muhyiddin and Bersatu?

"Do they no longer want to cooperate with Bersatu?

"How far is their sincerity to accept Bersatu as a member of Harapan?" he asked.

In a separate statement, PKR information chief Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh said the move to endorse Anwar as prime minister was not meant to hurt the feelings of any party.

"It is not something impossible. It is not meant to create a polemic. It is not meant to be self-indulgent or hurt the feelings of any party," he added.

Instead, Syed Noh said it was PKR's right to do so at its own congress, while maintaining focus on the main agenda to prepare for the next general election.

To the critics, he pointed out that PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli had in his speech at the congress outlined the methods in which Anwar can be appointed as prime minister.

Yesterday, Rafizi criticised former law minister Zaid Ibrahim for describing the raising of the placards as arrogant, and explained the reasons for Anwar still remaining a relevant force in Malaysian politics.

Zaid has repeatedly endorsed Mahathir, who was prime minister for more than two decades, for the top post.

Meanwhile, PKR Youth vice-chief Radzlan Jalal has expressed support for Syed Saddiq's proposal for an independent survey.

In view of this, he called on the Harapan secretariat to immediately look into the proposal.

"This proactive measure not only involves the majority of the people in picking the highest leadership of the country, but it is also a form of reforming the system, which is needed in Malaysia," he added in a statement.