Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak is more skilled than DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang in political strategies, according to Communication and Multimedia Minister Salleh Said Keruak.

He said this in explaining the reason for Najib describing the coming general election as a choice between an Umno-led government and DAP-led government.

In a blog posting, Salleh said it is DAP which would determine who becomes prime minister and deputy prime minister if Pakatan Harapan takes over Putrajaya.

“This is because DAP has the most number of parliament seats in Harapan,” he said, adding that DAP's position in the opposition coalition is similar to Umno's in BN.

Salleh said Najib was wise in reading and analysing DAP's political moves.

“He (Najib) is aware that Kit Siang is afraid of the Malays knowing that DAP is the most powerful (party) in Harapan and it is DAP which makes important decisions, or has the last word,” he added.

The minister also exposed what he claimed to be DAP's “Malay-face” propaganda for the prime minister post.

He claimed that DAP is encouraging Malay parties in Harapan, especially Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), to showcase their ambition to become prime minister.

“This is DAP's strategy to portray a Malay face as a political propaganda.

“Our prime minister is far more skilled than Kit Siang in political strategies at present. This is the reason why Najib is more qualified to lead the nation than Kit Siang,” he added.

Harapan has yet to name its prime minister candidate but placards raised to proclaim Anwar Ibrahim as the next prime minister during the PKR congress over the weekend had reignited the debate on this.

DAP's Zaid Ibrahim described the raising of the placards as arrogant and disrespectful towards Bersatu chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin, who were present at the congress.

Zaid has repeatedly endorsed Mahathir as Harapan's prime minister candidate.

However, PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli argued that Anwar had the backing of opposition supporters.

Meanwhile, Bersatu Youth chief Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman proposed that an independent poll be carried out to allow the public to determine who should lead the nation if Harapan comes to power.