Thursday 28 Mar 2024
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KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 29): Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has brushed off speculation that with Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) warming up to Umno MPs, his promised appointment as Malaysia's eighth Prime Minister could be derailed.

"I have no reason to doubt the mutual agreement [with Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad]," said the Pakatan Harapan president-elect outside the Dewan Rakyat today.

Anwar was responding to a statement by Prime Minister's Office media and communications adviser Datuk A Kadir Jasin that about 40 Umno MPs could jump ship to PPBM, which is led by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Speculation is rife that PPBM, which has 13 Parliamentary seats, is building up its numbers to strengthen its hand in Pakatan Harapan, in which it is the smallest of four parties.

Umno secretary-general Tan Sri Annuar Musa, in a Twitter post yesterday, said that Kadir Jasin's statement was a signal that "it is game over for Anwar".

"Thank you [Annuar Musa] for his concern," responded Anwar.

"I don't take all this into account. It is media's interpretation who believe in the repeat of the massive historical 1998 conspiracy," he said.

He added that Pakatan Harapan has "this option" to bring in Opposition MPs provided they become indepedent MPs first. They would be scrutinised and accepted by the coalition only after a discussion among the coalition parties.

"It is true that rakyat voted [for Pakatan Harapan and not Opposition MPs].

"[But] this is democratic country. There is this option [as long as] we discuss the parameters, look at principles — whether our principles are compromised and whether anyone feels threatened," he added.

Earlier, Anwar told the Dewan Rakyat that he supports Dr Mahathir's assertion that the nation must know of the new reform initiatives brought about by Pakatan Harapan.

He also reiterated that any decision to be made by the Government, particularly on policies, must go beyond the normal practice of taking views of political elites and small groups of professionals only.

"The policies proposed [from such practice] like New Economic Policy... or the current reform agenda, are usually considered inclusive.

"It is impossible for such policies to be considered inclusive, as long as they do not take into account the views of the rakyat across all races," he said.

 

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