PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail’s latest remarks that PKR “respects” Umno’s reaffirmation of their support for Perikatan Nasional (PN) appear to have ruffled the feathers of DAP, the party’s coalition partner.
DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng has hit out at the remark, saying that the party has clearly informed PKR president Anwar Ibrahim that “cooperation with Umno is not on the table”.
“We have fought with Umno. During the Sabah elections, in Kota Kinabalu, I have already said we will not work with Umno under its leaders Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Najib Abdul Razak,” Lim told Malaysiakini in an exclusive interview in Penang.
“We fought against them in the general elections. We united as we wanted to remove a kleptocratic Umno led BN government, how can we go back and work with them?” he asked.
On Wednesday, PKR said it would respect the statement by Zahid reaffirming Umno’s support for PN.
However, Saifuddin added, his party will continue its efforts to “restore the people’s mandate”.
This term refers to efforts by Harapan to mount a counter-coup against Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s administration.
Zahid’s remarks come a week after he chaired Umno’s political bureau, which resolved to consider withdrawing support for PN and to discuss new terms for further cooperation with Muhyiddin’s government.
Zahid’s move came at a critical juncture when Anwar was trying to garner support from Umno MPs to bolster his majority claim in the Dewan Rakyat. Describing Saifuddin’s remarks as “unexpected”, Lim went on to say it does not reflect Harapan’s position.
Lim said Saifuddin’s remark also gives the impression that PKR is “willing to work with Umno”.
The former finance minister said when Anwar made the Sept 23 announcement that he had the numbers to topple Muhyiddin’s PN government, they were given to understand that it would include some political parties and individual MPs, but not Umno.
“Ours and Harapan’s position is very clear. You have to ask PKR what is theirs,” Lim said.
Asked about Anwar’s latest political move in which he failed to consult DAP and Amanah, Lim said they were given to understand that there is a need for confidentiality due to the sensitive nature of the matter.
However, Lim admitted that Anwar was asked if it was appropriate to make an announcement before the matter happened.
Anwar also created massive waves as the controversial announcement was made three days before the Sabah elections.
“Shouldn’t it be made by the proper authority instead of Anwar alone? We were afraid this would damage his credibility. But he was very confident,”
“He made the decision, which is why we were not there when he made the announcement. It’s his own personal decision,” Lim said. – Malaysiakini