PM candidate: I don’t see PKR giving in, says analyst
(NST) – Pakatan Harapan faces a dim future if the coalition fails to settle its differences and close ranks, political observers predict.
Universiti Sains Malaysia political analyst Dr Ainul Adzellie Hasnul said the disagreement between the two icons in Pakatan Harapan Plus — PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad — has seen the friction in the coalition become public.
“This internal conflict shows that there is no cooperation between the parties. It’s obvious that there is a storm brewing in calm waters.
“If this continues, the future of PH is at stake. Facing Perikatan Nasional in the next general elections would be a tough prospect for them, unless they close ranks. But I doubt that will happen anytime soon.”
The squabble in the pact stemmed from PH Plus’ inability to agree on a prime ministerial candidate, a post that PKR is adamant should now be reserved for Anwar, 72.
Parti Amanah Negara and DAP recently pledged to back Dr Mahathir as the candidate.
On Saturday, Dr Mahathir said that Parti Warisan Sabah, Amanah and DAP had unanimously agreed at an informal meeting on June 25 to nominate Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal as PH Plus’ prime ministerial candidate.
The 94-year-old also suggested that Anwar should be nominated as deputy prime minister I, alongside the former’s son, Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir as deputy prime minister II.
Ainul said as long as Anwar was PKR president, the party would stick to its decision to nominate the Port Dickson member of parliament.
“I don’t see PKR giving in. PH will eventually split if no consensus can be achieved, and it would be likely that PKR would form a new coalition for themselves.”
He said this scenario, however, may hurt PH’s chances in the 15th General Election, adding that the public would perceive the impasse as a weakness.
Commenting on the possibility of Shafie becoming prime minister, Ainul said that while it was a “noble suggestion”, he doubted that Shafie could command the support of a majority in the lower house of Parliament.
Shafie’s nomination, he added, was also Dr Mahathir’s subtle way of denying Anwar the premiership.
Geostrategist Professor Dr Azmi Hassan said the bickering further alienated PKR from PH, adding that this was a “clear signal” that Anwar would not be able to become prime minister via the PH Plus mechanism.
“Anwar and PKR will need to find a new platform to pursue their goal, but Anwar may not have many choices but to work with PH.”
Echoing Ainul’s sentiments, Azmi agreed that PKR would not give in and accept Dr Mahathir’s proposal that Shafie become PH Plus’ prime minister designate.
“To think that Anwar and Shafie can strike a deal is far-fetched.
“As I see it, there is no way for PKR to work with the ‘plus’ entity and therefore it will reject Dr Mahathir’s proposal.”
