KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 21): The court cases of Umno president and Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi did not surface in the discussion to form a Pakatan Harapan (PH) and BN coalition government, said PH chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Monday (Nov 21).

"There was no reference at all to the issue of the present or anticipated charges. He (Zahid) stressed on the importance of governance, of inclusiveness and unity, which we agreed on, and the focus on the economy," Anwar told a press conference held at the Seri Pacific Hotel in Kuala Lumpur.

"I want to make it very clear: This was not raised at all either in private meetings or the formal meetings," Anwar added.

In September, Zahid, 69, was acquitted of all 40 graft charges in the foreign visa system case. However, he is still facing 47 charges, including 12 for criminal breach of trust, eight for corruption and 27 for money laundering involving RM31 million of Yayasan Akalbudi funds.

Anwar emphasised that the negotiation with BN is on the formation of government (executive) and has no relation to the judiciary, which he said should be independent from the executive branch.

Anwar also said that BN did not have any "unreasonable conditions" imposed and that he was "extremely pleased" with the meeting between the top BN and PH leaders held on Monday morning.

He said he presently remains the prime minister candidate if BN agrees to work with PH.

"They did not suggest any other name in the discussion. But my preferred choice over deputy prime minister... let me assume the premiership first," Anwar said.

In regard to the open defiance of BN treasury general Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein against BN's partnership with PH, Anwar said he believes Hishammuddin has since "revised his views".

"My response to that is there is no DAP government here or a PH government. It is a coalition government, unity government. So I believe he has now revised his views," Anwar said.

Earlier, Hishammuddin posted on his Facebook page that he would rather be sacked by his party than to change his stance on "no Anwar, no DAP".

When asked about the possibility of a conflict between PH and BN due to the issues raised by both coalitions during the campaigning season for the 15th general election (GE15), Anwar said PH will have to "proceed to form an inclusive government".

Despite coming out as the biggest bloc with 82 parliamentary seats from the GE15, Anwar said PH still "requires the support of parties".

"The key and fundamental issue here is the non-compromise of the issue of governance and focus on economy. Then we have to keep moving on, as we said, to save the country," Anwar said.

He also said that PH is open to working with the Sabah and Sarawak parties, referring to Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), but added that the main partner would be BN.

BN, which won 30 parliamentary seats in GE15, has yet to make a final decision on whether to support the formation of the federal government together with PH or with Perikatan Nasional, GRS and GPS.

Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah on Monday granted an additional day for all leaders of political parties and coalitions to inform Istana Negara of the agreed combination of political parties to form the next government, as well as to submit the name of their prime minister candidate.

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