Going by PAS' logic, PM should be from DAP - Lau

Gerakan will raise the differences of opinion surrounding Perikatan Nasional’s prime minister candidate at the coalition’s supreme council meeting next month.

Speaking to reporters, Gerakan president Dominic Lau reiterated the party’s objection to PAS spiritual leader Hashim Jasin’s statement that the Islamist party is more qualified to spearhead the coalition.

Hashim had argued that a PAS leader should be considered as a potential prime minister candidate as the party has more seats in PN compared to Bersatu and stronger grassroots machinery.

“Now to form a government, even a coalition has to form coalitions. It cannot be one single party with a majority (within a coalition) who wants to be prime minister.

“Going by this (one party majority) theory, then the prime minister should be from DAP for Pakatan Harapan because they have 40 MPs, more than PKR,” said Lau during a press conference at Menara PGRM after the party’s annual Deepavali open house.

“Why are they (DAP) not the prime minister or prime minister candidate? Because a prime minister must obtain support from the majority of MPs (in Parliament) across various parties and coalitions.

“So, my view is that I don’t agree (with PAS). These differences will be brought to the PN supreme council meeting on Dec 12,” he said.

Hashim’s statement on Friday was made in response to Bersatu vice-president Ahmad Faizal Azumu’s remarks about Muhyiddin Yassin being PN’s sole nominee for the country’s top job.

On the same day, Lau reaffirmed that Muhyiddin remains PN’s prime minister candidate, citing the Bersatu president’s experience, leadership qualities, and the coalition’s support.

Unlikely to affect PN

Meanwhile, Lau today said differences of opinion within PN are unlikely to weaken the federal opposition.

“I don’t see it will weaken relations between component parties when we have differences in opinions or suggestions. This is normal.

“We each have our own role, our own missions, but just one goal that is to ensure PN’s election victories,” he said.

Earlier today, Bersatu supreme council member Wan Saiful Wan Jan shared that he had visited Hashim’s home in Sanglang, Perlis, and left with a renewed commitment to preserve ongoing cooperation with PAS.

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