DAP’s Sungai Pelek assemblyperson Ronnie Liu said PKR deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali should realise he does not stand a chance of becoming prime minister over PKR president Anwar Ibrahim.
This, he said, is because the majority faction in PKR, as well as Amanah and DAP, backs Anwar as the next prime minister.
He added that Anwar has been agreed upon by Pakatan Harapan as the person to succeed Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, but Azmin being the “blue-eyed boy” of Mahathir had led to widespread speculation that there was a plot to make Azmin prime minister instead of Anwar.
“This much is true. Anwar might not be Mahathir’s favourite, but he is the choice of PKR (at least the majority faction within that party), DAP and Amanah.
“Even if some Bersatu and PKR members were to rally behind Azmin, they would still not be the majority within Pakatan. Not even close.
“So, I don’t think Azmin has any chance of becoming prime minister. He should realise this,” he said in a statement.
Liu said it was possible for Bersatu to grow quickly if there were massive crossovers from Umno and PAS and they could theoretically back Azmin, but that was unlikely to happen anytime soon.
The DAP lawmaker said Mahathir should quell any uncertainty by setting a timeline to hand over power to Anwar.
“Mahathir should accept that and therefore do more to assure everyone that he is going to stick to the agreed plan
“It’s not enough for him to keep saying he will do so. He needs to give a precise timeline.
“Once a fixed timeline is announced, and everything suddenly becomes more concrete, we should see the end of internecine warfare within PKR,” he said.
Liu said a stable PKR is important for Harapan’s own stability that is important for the economy.
“This will also help to ensure that BN will not come back to power in the next elections,” he said.
Meanwhile, Datuk Seri Khairuddin Abu Hassan, who is seen as a staunch supporter of Dr Mahathir, told off Liu who in turn is viewed as a loyalist of Anwar.
“How does YB Ronnie Liu know that Dato Seri Azmin Ali cannot be prime minister?!” Khairuddin wrote in a statement today, asserting that Azmin would certainly have the possibility of one day becoming the prime minister if it is divine will.
Khairuddin said that the reality of politics is that political scenarios may change from time to time, and that anything could happen in politics despite the best of plans.
“I don’t understand certain people who are power-crazy and want to grab power!! In the struggle, if we are sincerely wanting to fight for the interests of the nation and country, even without a position we would fight!! No need to seize power!!” he said in his statement, without specifying who he was referring to.”
Khairuddin also said, “YB Ronnie Liu may think Datuk Seri Azmin Ali does not have enough support but sometimes support can change in politics!! It is too early for YB Ronnie Liu to say those words!!”
Khairuddin, who is Parti Amanah Negara’s parliamentary coordinator for Jasin, went on to defend Azmin’s character.
Without specifying who his comments were aimed at, Khairuddin said one should not be fearful of his own shadow as Azmin is a politician who is “very loyal to his leader” and is not power-crazy or a back-stabber.
“Don’t be too worried and fearful of Datuk Seri Azmin Ali as he is also a politician that is mature that is never in a haste to cling on to power,” he said, asserting that Azmin is a good worker who is always focused on his responsibilities without any agenda for his personal interest.