PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says that he will not offer himself as Pakatan Harapan’s candidate for the prime minister’s post, citing friction over the top post among the Opposition parties.
He said he had decided not to become prime minister if the Opposition wins the general election, adding that the parties should focus on winning the general election.
“In reference to calls to focus completely on the upcoming general election, I choose not to offer myself as a prime ministerial candidate,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Anwar said that the ongoing “friction” caused by debates over the issue was “exhausting”, adding that the decision was best left to the voters.
Instead, he said: “I hope all the energy would be focused on strengthening the election machinery and gaining the support of the people”.
Anwar said Pakatan Harapan should retain the tradition of consensus as practised in Pakatan Rakyat.
Anwar also rejected the proposal by Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia for Pakatan Harapan’s presidential council line-up, where Pribumi’s own leaders would hold the posts of chairman and president.
Last week, Pribumi proposed that its leaders Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin be appointed Pakatan Harapan’s chairman and president respectively while Anwar be made adviser.
Anwar was earlier reported to have said that it is Pakatan Harapan who will decide the Opposition’s prime ministerial candidate.
He said this in response to Dr Mahathir who announced that he “might be forced to consider” becoming prime minister again if his friends in the Opposition want him
Anwar claimed Pribumi’s suggestion to place its leaders in the top position as chairman and president of Pakatan Harapan mirrored Barisan Nasional’s structure.
Instead, he asked Pakatan Harapan to retain its consensus-based structure.
He said the unified strength from all parties is vital to fight Umno and Barisan Nasional.
He said it is appropriate that participation of all leaders be made.
“This includes making use of Dr Mahathir’s role and position (as a former prime minister).
“It is unwise to make any assumption before all party leaders reach a consensus,” he said.
Anwar said Pakatan Harapan’s focus should be on matters plaguing the nation, and as such, problems affecting the Opposition parties should be curbed.
Anwar was jailed on March 7, 2014, after the Court of Appeal overturned his acquittal of sodomising his aide in 2008.
He appealed against the conviction.
But on Feb 10, 2015, the Federal Court dismissed his appeal and upheld the five-year jail term.
Read more at http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/06/18/anwar-i-dont-want-to-be-pm-pkr-adviser-opposition-should-focus-on-winning-general-election/#RZWHO3OVJRcxZFP7.99
.jpg)
