PKR ready to revisit PM candidate but warns of bid to split Harapan - Saifuddin
PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said his party was ready to revisit the issue of Pakatan Harapan's prime ministerial candidate but also advised caution against efforts to split the coalition.
Saifuddin said this in a statement after the PKR leadership council meeting chaired by party president Anwar Ibrahim at the PKR headquarters in Petaling Jaya today.
"Even though PKR had already...
PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said his party was ready to revisit the issue of Pakatan Harapan's prime ministerial candidate but also advised caution against efforts to split the coalition.
Saifuddin (above) said this in a statement after the PKR leadership council meeting chaired by party president Anwar Ibrahim at the PKR headquarters in Petaling Jaya today.
"Even though PKR had already stated its position in the issue of the prime ministerial candidate, it is ready to discuss (further) but any decision at the Harapan level must be made at the Harapan presidential council.
"Any proposal should not be turned into a personal political game by any leader," he said.
He was apparently referring to a meeting between former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad with Amanah, DAP, and Warisan on June 25, where it was proposed that Warisan president Shafie Apdal would become the prime ministerial candidate for Harapan and its allies.
PKR, which had been opposed to Mahathir as the prime ministerial candidate and wants Anwar for the top job instead, was not in the meeting.
The proposal appeared to be an attempt to break the impasse between Mahathir and Anwar over who should be the prime ministerial candidate for Harapan and also to attract support from East Malaysia.
Mahathir claimed the decision to propose Shafie (below) as the prime ministerial candidate received unanimous support during the meeting.
However, DAP and Amanah had said they need to consult their respective party's leadership and bring the matter to the Harapan presidential council.
Saifuddin said the PKR leadership council is of the opinion that the cooperation within Harapan should be strengthened.
"At the same time, it reminds all quarters to be vigilant and not become entrapped by any efforts aimed at pitting the Harapan parties against each other, as had been done to PKR previously," he said.
PKR said it maintains that the mandate given by the people to Harapan in the 2018 general election should be restored but said the coalition should also be prepared for snap elections.
"PKR maintains its position that the people's mandate should immediately be restored in the form of Harapan in the 14th general election as well as in the issue of Mahathir handing over power to Anwar.
"PKR and Harapan will also do its best in preparing for any possibility of the 15th general election being called earlier than 2023," he said.
Mahatir handing over power.....? When did Mahatir refuse to hand over Power. No date was stated. Mahatir on his own had announced he will step down after Apec mooeeting in November. Then the coup happened towards end of February. Now efforts to reclaim back power. End of the year is still 6 months away. If coup did not happen Majority will still be in power. Thus why has PKR opposed the 6 months for Natalie till end of year. Again what handing over is Pkr talking when Tun is not PM. Thus the necessity for Tun to be appointed first. DAP and Amanah should remain resolute in their demand to have a solid understanding of taking power now before July opening. The PKR dilly dallying should be rejected. If there has to be a modified PH so be it with DAP and Amanah taking lead as being in the majority in PH. PKR alone cannot dictate. Dap and Amanah must also look outside PH and not fall into trap. The 3 parties in PH can never win the elections. If Pkr before is current breakup was not strong. It could not on its own win a Malay majority or non-malay majority seat. Now it is worse with so many leaving pkr.
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