KUALA LUMPUR – Pejuang chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has no relevance to speak on the “big tent” approach or to put down other opposition figures, said PKR’s Kapar MP Datuk Abdullah Sani Abdul Hamid.
Abdullah Sani told The Vibes that it was Dr Mahathir who betrayed the people’s mandate and that the former prime minister’s power-hungry agenda derailed the Pakatan Harapan (PH) administration.
“Sedarlah diri (be self-aware). Why are you (Dr Mahathir) still talking about politics? The people are dealing with so many economic issues and looking for solutions but you are still talking about this.
“All of this (current political conundrum) is because of him. He resigned and betrayed the agreement with PH and called for all Malay-based parties to create a so-called Malay coalition to be a prime minister without a party and then he resigned. You were power-hungry and then you wanted back in.
“He thought people wanted to support him but they didn’t. That is why the Sheraton Move happened.
“So, how can he comment on the big tent strategy by saying no to this person, no to that person? He is not in a position to dictate terms.”
In an interview with Utusan Malaysia yesterday, Dr Mahathir said he would only engage in the “big tent” approach with the opposition bloc and other parties provided it is not led by PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim or Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
Despite Dr Mahathir expressing interest in cooperating again with opposition parties, Abdullah Sani questioned the former’s relevancy in politics now.
“What is his role now? Just to sow chaos? You were given the opportunity twice (to be prime minister). Enough is enough, what else do you want?
“The opposition leader now is Anwar Ibrahim, so let him lead,” he said, adding that Pejuang only has four parliamentary seats.
Another PH lawmaker Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad said in an interview that for the big tent strategy to work, all relevant stakeholders must put aside their personal politics and combined forces to ensure that Barisan Nasional (BN) does not return to power.
“Dr Mahathir should put his personal politics aside and compromise for the sake of the country.
“Dr Mahathir’s rejection of PKR is not as serious as PKR’s rejection of Dr Mahathir. PKR has had issues with Muda and Warisan before as well.
“In this case, it is like two times five, five times two. We all have to put the nation’s interest as the utmost priority and put aside personal sentiments to ensure that BN doesn’t return to power.”
Khalid, who is also Amanah’s communication director, agreed that it was impractical politically for Dr Mahathir and Anwar to not work with each other.
However, Khalid said PH will never work with Muhyiddin and his cohorts following the 2020 Sheraton Move.
“It is simple, they have betrayed the people’s mandate.”
Meanwhile, former Batu MP Chua Tian Chang of PKR too said that the “big tent” approach requires all parties to set aside their personal sentiments.
“For this to work, you have to put aside your personal preference. There will be no ‘big tent’ if Dr Mahathir says no to Anwar, no to Muhyiddin, and then Anwar says no to Muhyiddin and someone else says no to DAP and then another person says no to this party.
“How are you going to have a big tent when everyone has a caveat? Let’s just put aside all these things if you are really sincere. Everyone has to be committed to a broad coalition.
“With due respect, I hope Dr Mahathir understands that. Whether it is Muhyiddin or Anwar, the lawmakers will decide. He cannot impose his will onto this.” – The Vibes, June 4, 2022
