Anwar urges talks after four Harapan reps quit Malacca govt

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has called upon the four Pakatan Harapan assemblypersons who quit the Malacca state government today to defer their decision.

He said they should not let disputes get in the way and first seek a resolution with Chief Minister Ab Rauf Yusoh to ensure the state administration could continue serving the rakyat.

"I spoke to (DAP secretary-general) Anthony Loke and also to the chief minister. If possible, let them negotiate first.

"Postpone for a while so that we can focus on state matters first," he said, as quoted by The Edge.

Anwar spoke about the issue when he met the media after a groundbreaking ceremony in Port Dickson today.

"Even now, there are many things we don't agree on, but in terms of policies for economic growth and the people, we continue," he added.

Earlier today, DAP assemblypersons, including a state exco member, announced their decision to exit the Malacca government.

They said the move was to honour their pledge to resign if the state constitution was amended to allow appointed assemblypersons.

Those stepping down include state exco Allex Seah, deputy excos Low Chee Leong and Leng Chau Yen, as well as deputy speaker Kerk Chee Yee.

The party will also resign from all government positions it holds, including all village heads and local councillors appointed under the state administration.

‘I can’t prevent it’

In response to the DAP assemblypersons’ move, Rauf earlier said it made no difference to his administration, and he would not be preventing their departure.

“Whatever decision is made by our DAP friends, including if they state that they do not agree with this proposal and wish to withdraw from the government, I cannot prevent their party’s decision.

“Their presence in this government is like a marriage without a kadi, and a divorce without a talaq,” he said in jest at a separate press conference.

In a statement issued tonight, Malacca PKR also echoed Anwar's position.

It stressed that any differences of opinion should be resolved in a spirit of consensus, through prudent negotiations, while placing the interests of the people above all other considerations.

Calling on all parties to avoid hasty decisions, the party said the move to withdraw from the state government was not jointly agreed upon.

"PKR respects the position expressed by the Harapan state assemblypersons. However, the decision to withdraw from the state government was not one that had been jointly agreed upon by the leadership of Pakatan Harapan Malacca.

"Space for further discussions should remain open so that any decision reached is made maturely and responsibly, and in the best interests of the people of Malacca," it said.

PKR has no seats in the Malacca legislative assembly.

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