Pakatan Harapan had to postpone announcing its prime minister candidate although the pact had already achieved a consensus on the matter.
This was revealed by PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim who said that the delay was also because PH needed to refer its decision to Parti Warisan Sabah and Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s camp in Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia.
“Yesterday, through PH chief secretary Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, we released a statement saying we have yet to decide our leadership status.
“PH as a body has made its decision but we need to refer this to our friends in Warisan and those under the leadership of Dr Mahathir,” Anwar said during a Facebook Live session today.
Apologising for the delay, the Port Dickson MP said the question of who should be prime minister was not the most pressing issue for the coalition.
“Our priority should be to ensure there is an agenda for economic reform and better transparency in governance. This is more central than the decision on who should be prime minister,” said the Port Dickson MP.
“As it is, the Perikatan Nasional government is appointing people without checks and balances to major institutions and oppressing minority groups.”
While PH hopes to win back power, he said, it should not be at the expense of the people’s welfare.
“We also need to give confidence to investors.
“But I wish to apologise for the delay in arriving at a decision,” said Anwar.
PH was expected yesterday to announce its prime ministerial candidate ahead of possible fresh elections.
But a meeting was cancelled at the last minute after the PH parties could not decide.
On the public’s support toward PH, Anwar admitted that the pact was facing difficulties on the matter, adding that it was caused by the pact’s “attempt to make several changes”.
“For PH, this is a concern. We would like to make great changes (for the country) but experience taught us that it is not easy to gain the people’s support,” he said.