Perkasa: Replacing Dr M with ex-prisoner is an insult

Ibrahim Ali sees red over the fact that Dr Mahathir will have only a year at most to run the country before Anwar takes over if Pakatan wins GE14

(Berita Daily) – It is an insult to have the Pakatan Harapan and PPBM chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad as the interim prime minister, said Perkasa chief and Mahathir loyalist Ibrahim Ali today.

“I was shocked even though I expected it. Dr Mahathir is named only for a period of six to 12 months. What can one do in six months?

“It is an insult because in the end you put a former prisoner in power. Is that the goal? I don’t know (how) they will rule the country,” said the former Pasir Mas MP in reference to the incarcerated PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim.

“We should respect the rule of law,” Ibrahim said at a press conference held at Perkasa’s headquarters this afternoon.

“It will be Anwar’s administration as if there is no one else more qualified. To me that is shameful.”

The Perkasa chief was commenting on Pakatan Harapan’s announcement to name Mahathir as its prime minister candidate for a period of six to 12 months.

PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail – who is also the Pakatan president – was named as deputy prime minister candidate.

During the interim period, the Pakatan government would be applying for a royal pardon for Anwar which will negate the five year disqualification period from holding public office after getting released from prison. He is expected to be released on June 8 this year after serving time for sodomy.

Ibrahim also pointed out that Anwar had differing views on Islam.

”Many question the prisoner’s stand on pluralism and Islam,” he said.

Ibrahim who was clearly upset with the prospect of Anwar being Malaysia’s eighth prime minister also said that Pakatan wants to create a new precedent.

“They are setting a precedent of putting a prisoner as prime minister. Soon there will be no need to have a prison at all.”

Ibrahim also commented on the coalition’s seat allocation.

“PKR will be victorious because they have strong voter support. PPBM’s seats are of Grade C. They can contest but not easy to win.

“DAP maintains its number of seats but I can say they will surely win.”

Under an understanding between the four partners of Pakatan, PKR would contest 51 out of 165 parliament seats in Peninsular Malaysia. PPBM meanwhile is allocated 52 seats.

The DAP received 35 seats to contest in peninsular whereas Amanah, 27.

The parties have not decided on the seat allocations in Sabah and Sarawak.