Tuan Ibrahim hits back at PKR Youth over 'ultimatum' to Umno on early GE16, pact with PN

PAS MUKTAMAR | PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man has slammed the deputy PKR Youth chief for challenging Umno over its cooperation with Perikatan Nasional.

Tuan Ibrahim said PKR should be mindful of its own position within the coalition government, erroneously claiming that Umno has more seats in the Dewan Rakyat.

“PKR wants to warn Umno? How many seats does it have? Umno is bigger than it. PKR should not act that way.

“It (PKR) needs to realise how many seats it has compared to Umno.

“PKR is riding on Umno, on Umno’s existing strength,” the Kubang Kerian MP told reporters at the 72nd central PAS muktamar in Kota Bharu last night.

Tuan Ibrahim may have intended to refer to BN rather than its linchpin party Umno, as PKR has 28 seats to Umno’s 26, while BN has 30 in total.

On Thursday, PKR Youth deputy chief Nabil Halimi told Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and his party leaders to clearly state their position if they genuinely believe the 16th general election should be held earlier for a fresh mandate.

He said Umno ministers and MPs should not appear to have “one foot” in the government and “one foot” in the opposition - embracing PN at the state level while continuing to hold positions in the federal government.

Earlier that day, Zahid had affirmed BN’s commitment to holding an earlier GE16, adding that his coalition was also prepared if the current parliamentary term ran its full course.

BN’s victories in the recent state elections have fuelled speculation that the coalition could push for a snap general election.

READ MORE: BN-PN tsunami could push Harapan to worst GE outcome since 2008, S'gor defeat

‘Umno uncomfortable with PKR, DAP’s remarks’

Commenting further, Tuan Ibrahim said Umno had legitimate grounds to feel uncomfortable with recent remarks and actions by other parties, including PKR and DAP.

“Usually, in a political alliance, we respect the rights of each party. Every party has its own rights.

“If a party acts to reprimand another party in a component (of government), I think that is very discourteous,” he said.

The PAS leader added that the coalition government was formed out of necessity after the last general election resulted in a hung Parliament, and the escalating attacks between BN and Harapan showed increasing strain.

“Usually, matters like this within a political pact would not be brought out into the open. But the situation has become so serious that they can no longer control it, with each side attacking the other,” he said.

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When asked whether this line of thinking reflected views within PKR, Tuan Ibrahim said he believed the best way to restore political stability was to dissolve Parliament and seek a fresh mandate from voters.

“The people did not choose one party (at the last election). This (government) is just a coalition (government).

“That combination was not what the people wanted, but was formed because of the pressing need to create a federal government through a coalition.

“For me, a new mandate needs to be sought from the people,” he said.

On DAP’s recent calls for the attorney-general to review the discontinuation of Zahid’s corruption charges, Tuan Ibrahim said the courts should be allowed to handle the matter independently.

“There is no need for politics to interfere in matters before the court,” he said.

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