PKR condemns those behind the move to form Pakatan Nasional
(FMT) – PKR vice-president Xavier Jayakumar has slammed the “appalling and treacherous” political greed of those wanting to form a new government under the “Pakatan Nasional” banner.
The water, land and natural resources minister said that while the Pakatan Harapan government is “pretty much strong and stable”, it was clear that several parties were actively trying to overthrow the ruling coalition through undemocratic means.
The rumoured coalition will allegedly see PPBM, which Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad chairs, team up with PAS and Umno.
Umno Supreme Council member Lokman Noor Adam earlier this week raised the possibility of the new coalition after previously accusing party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi of supporting the plan in a bid to evade his corruption charges.
During his weekly pre-dawn religious lecture in Marang, Terengganu, today, PAS leader Abdul Hadi Awang said the party was open to the formation of a “Pakatan Nasional” government.
Hadi told reporters he was in favour of a new coalition that would ensure the government is in the hands of Muslims.
However, he said it was too early for PAS to make any decision at the moment.
Pointing out an opinion piece published in a local Chinese daily today with the headline “Pakatan Harapan is collapsing!”, Xavier said the piece provocatively painted Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad as working with opposition parties to replace Pakatan Harapan with Pakatan Nasional.
“The notion that a government which was duly elected by the people could be overthrown in an effort to satisfy the political greed of a few is appalling and treacherous,” said Xavier in a statement.
“Alluding that a premier would be part of this attempt is even more far-fetched, to say the least.
“I am of the opinion that this matter should not be taken lightly by the Pakatan Harapan presidential council, and (we) will definitely bring this to the table during its next meeting.
“In the meantime, Pakatan Harapan will continue to serve the rakyat as intended.”
On Jan 20, FMT reported that there could be a new political realignment that could thrust PAS into federal power, following several private meetings between Hadi and Mahathir.
It said the new alignment would bring together forces aligned to Mahathir with the clout that the Islamist party holds in the northern Malay heartland, with dire consequences for DAP and Anwar.
In his response, Mahathir played down the possibility of a collaboration with PAS, saying it was his job to meet “everybody”.