Dr M, Anwar, PH Allies at PKR HQ for PH Council Meeting

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Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad made a rare appearance at the PKR headquarters today to meet with Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and other Pakatan Harapan (PH) leaders amid continued rumours of a possible change of government.

Aides of PH leaders shared photographs of Dr Mahathir, Anwar, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, Amanah president Mohamad Sabu and Warisan president Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal, among others, at the location.

Hasnoor Hussain/TMI

A PKR source verified the photographs and asserted that the meeting would bring “good news” to Malaysians, especially PH supporters.

“Something will be announced from this meeting. Good news for all,” he said without elaborating.

Hasnoor Hussain/TMI

Media workers gathering at the headquarters since 2.30pm saw Dr Mahathir’s entourage, which includes his son, Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir, and disputed Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Marzuki Yahya, arrive at 3pm.

Today’s PH presidential council meeting is the first time both Dr Mahathir and Anwar have come together in public since Perikatan Nasional (PN) removed the PH government.

The council had been attempting to forge a clear transition plan for Dr Mahathir to hand over the prime minister’s post to Anwar prior to PH’s collapse.

Before today’s meeting, several party insiders had pointed out that Opposition Leader Anwar did not attend the meetings involving leaders of PH parties and allied parties dubbed “Pakatan Plus”.

On June 4, Anwar and the PKR leadership were absent from a meeting at Yayasan Albukhary Kuala Lumpur.

This prompted the press to ask Dr Mahathir about his relationship with Anwar, with the former replying that the question should be posed to the latter if he has “a problem” with him.

Anwar and PKR were also missing during the May 18 press conference at the Perdana Leadership Foundation after the single-day parliamentary meeting, which PKR later said it is about “Bersatu internal politics”.

PH and its allies, dubbed “PH Plus”, are expected to announce their candidate for the prime minister’s post following this afternoon’s meeting.

“You can expect an announcement of PH Plus’ candidate for PM later today,” one source was quoted as saying.

Based on the information from sources, it is understood that the top leaders have reached a decision following a series of discussions.

According to one PH component party member, the past week witnessed a slew of meetings between the leaders and a consensus was reached.

As expected, the choice is between two men who have dominated the Malaysian political landscape for more than two decades – Dr Mahathir and Anwar.

It is also learnt that several PH leaders wanted Mahathir to be named as prime minister again despite Anwar being the coalition’s chairperson.

Sources claimed this had irked Anwar, who then chose not to attend meetings with Mahathir.

It was also revealed that the description “PH Plus” might continue to be utilised in order to accommodate MPs who are not members of PH.

This would also ensure that Mahathir and four other Bersatu MPs, who are challenging the nullification of their membership, need not join another political party.

Mahathir is embroiled in a tussle with Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin for control of the party.

Should Mahathir be named as the prime minister candidate and if “PH Plus” manages to dislodge the PN government, which is holding on to power with a razor-thin majority, it would mean that the nonagenarian would helm the nation for the third time since 1981.

His first tenure lasted 22 years whereas his second stint as prime minister ended after 22 months following a political coup which led to PH losing federal power.

After a week-long political crisis, Muhyiddin was sworn-in as the eighth prime minister on March 2.