Faced with surprise Shafie option, PKR says to discuss with Harapan allies
Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s surprise turn to moot Warisan president Shafie Apdal as the opposition bloc’s prime minister candidate has put PKR in a tight spot.
It had fervently rejected Mahathir and insisted on party president Anwar Ibrahim for the top post even as its Pakatan Harapan allies publicly urged it to reconsider.
Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s surprise turn to moot Warisan president Shafie Apdal as the opposition bloc’s prime minister candidate has put PKR in a tight spot.
It had fervently rejected Mahathir and insisted on party president Anwar Ibrahim for the top post even as its Pakatan Harapan allies publicly urged it to reconsider.
Now, it is faced with an alternative who is neither Mahathir nor Anwar and yet seemingly backed by most of the bloc.
With 38 MPs, PKR’s decision will be key in determining whether the counter-coup against Perikatan Nasional succeeds.
Asked whether the party agreed with Shafie’s candidature, PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution (above) sidestepped the question but said the party would discuss the issue with its Harapan allies.
“I have been informed that Amanah and DAP will bring this matter to a Harapan discussion.
“When this matter is brought before Harapan, PKR will offer its views in the Harapan meeting,” he told Malaysiakini.
Elaborating, Saifuddin pointed out a contradiction in Mahathir’s claim that leaders from his rebel Bersatu faction, Warisan, DAP and Amanah had “unanimously” decided to name Shafie as the PM candidate during an informal meeting on June 25.
“Mahathir said it was a unanimous decision to propose Shafie, but DAP and Amanah are now saying they need to discuss the matter with their own parties and make a decision,” he said.
“Mahathir’s statement also means he is out of the ‘race’ to be the PM,” Saifuddin emphasised.
Asked about PKR’s absence during the June 25 meeting, he said the party had not been informed about it.
Meanwhile, following Mahathir's surprise proposal, Anwar took to Facebook to remind his followers to "reject the politics of lies and tricks".
"Politics is not about squabbling for power, but also how it is to be interpreted.
"Is it to defend the people or just to continue an old and worn out system?" he questioned while sharing a video clip of him criticising leaders who were more obsessed with seizing power than serving the people.
Aside from backing Shafie for the top post, Mahathir also mooted his son Mukhriz Mahathir and Anwar as the two deputy prime minister candidates.
The configuration came amidst a weeks-long impasse between Mahathir and Anwar over who ought to be the bloc’s PM candidate.
PKR argues that the country needs a “fresh start” without the nonagenarian, while Mahathir’s supporters contend Anwar will not be able to gain enough support from the East Malaysia bloc without Mahathir’s help.
If Shafie can win sufficient support in the Dewan Rakyat, he will make history as the first prime minister from East Malaysia.
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