PKR today disclaimed Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s acknowledgement that the new ruling pact, headed by Muhyiddin Yassin, has enough parliamentary support to remain in power until the next general election.
PKR organising secretary Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said the party’s political bureau decided yesterday that PH leaders must meet to decide on the pact’s stand.
It also decided the party will disavow public statements from PH leaders that do not come directly from the coalition.
Nik Nazmi said this was in response to statements and interviews former PH chairman Dr Mahathir gave recently.
“Taking into consideration the recent statements Dr Mahathir has issued about the Perikatan Nasional government, the PKR political bureau met and resolved yesterday that the PH leadership, including PKR, Amanah and DAP must meet to discuss the coalition’s positions.
“Any view other than this is not representative of PH and PKR,” he said in a statement.
PH has said that it will challenge Muhyiddin’s legitimacy and popularity in the Dewan Rakyat.
The former ruling pact also claims that it has enough numbers to form the government.
PH has maintained that its prime ministerial candidate is still Dr Mahathir.
In an interview with Malay daily Sinar Harian yesterday, Dr Mahathir conceded that he does not have the numbers to stage a comeback and that support for him had swung to Muhyiddin,
Muhyiddin had secured the majority support through his cabinet appointments, said Dr Mahathir.
Dr Mahathir said Muhyiddin could also hand out “sweets” to many people to garner support.
He also poured cold water on PH’s plan to move a motion of no confidence the new prime minister.
“Even if a motion of no confidence is tabled in Parliament, I do not believe we will be successful. He (Muhyiddin) has taken the support for me to his side.
“He’ll survive until the 15th general election.”
In the interview, Dr Mahathir also commented on a wide range of current issues.
Among others, he has since withdrawn his allegation of personal betrayal against Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and begun accusing others such as former Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak of orchestrating the collapse of the PH administration.
While he has not endorsed Muhyiddin and the latter’s administration, he also did not denounce it outright and instead said he would wait and see how it progressed.
In the second part of the interview published today, Dr Mahathir went on to dismiss PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s popularity among the Malay community, claiming he was rejected due to his liberal leanings.
He also revealed that he still considered Anwar a “dangerous” figure exceeded only by Najib.