KUALA LUMPUR – Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s apparent offer to work with former nemesis Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is merely an attempt to push a self-benefiting narrative, observed Pakatan Harapan (PH) secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
Speaking to The Vibes, Saifuddin labelled the ostensible olive branch extended by Dr Mahathir as a political move aimed at besmirching the image of the PH coalition chairman.
“(Dr Mahathir) is playing a game of perception. He just wants to be able to say that (Anwar) is arrogant (if Anwar declines to work with him),” he said.
This follows the former two-time prime minister yesterday hinting at collaborating with his former deputy Anwar to face the 15th general election (GE15) together since they both have a “shared objective” to bring down politicians who have “ruined” the nation.
Subsequently, it was reported that Anwar had accepted the veiled invitation from the Pejuang chairman while emphasising PH’s dedication to fighting opponents Perikatan Nasional and Barisan Nasional.
Commenting on PH’s prime minister candidate Anwar declining to close the door to future political negotiations with Dr Mahathir, Saifuddin related an anecdote the former had used to explain his stand on the matter.
“When we ask (Anwar) why he is willing to meet (with Mahathir), (Anwar) will recount the Quranic verse on how God had instructed the Prophet Moses to meet with the pharaohs.
“In the current context (between Anwar and Dr Mahathir), (the former) believes that he is no better than a prophet and (Dr Mahathir) cannot possibly be worse than a pharaoh,” Saifuddin said.
Additionally, Saifuddin said that it would be “impossible” for PH to form any additional political deals with other parties or individuals at this point in time as the 15th general election (GE15) is already around the corner.
“PH is already on its final lap (for GE15), there is not sufficient time to build up the necessary trust and respect to form cooperation measures with the coalition.
“Muda and Parti Sosialis Malaysia both wrote to PH (earlier on), which is why we now have an electoral pact with them,” he said, noting that seat negotiations with both parties are ongoing.
The Election Commission had announced on October 20 that nomination for GE15 is on November 5 and polling is on November 19.
Saifuddin also stressed that PH has at no recent time discussed the possibility of Dr Mahathir joining or collaborating with the coalition, saying: “(Dr Mahathir) has not been a topic of discussions within PH over the past year.”
“I can assure you that (Dr Mahathir) was never brought up during our (PH’s) various meetings. Never, not even (for) a second.”
He also confirmed that while he is aware that some PH component parties would be willing to work with Dr Mahathir, the coalition is focusing its efforts on facing GE15.
“Some of our (PH’s) component parties still have a soft spot for (Dr Mahathir). We are fully aware of this, but after the PH convention in Ipoh, we have already instilled the spirit of gearing up for GE15.”
During the convention on October 20, Anwar confirmed that he will be vying for the Tambun parliamentary seat against former Perak menteri besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu of Bersatu, who is the incumbent one-term MP there.
Mahathir, who is the incumbent Langkawi MP, became prime minister for a second time after PH won the general election in 2018.
Political turmoil in February 2020, 22 months after winning the 14th general election, saw Dr Mahathir’s then party Bersatu quit the PH coalition, along with other PH politicians who defected, to form a new government.
He then resigned as prime minister, leading to the collapse of the PH government.
Prior to PH’s collapse, Dr Mahathir had been under pressure to set a definite timeline for Anwar to succeed him as prime minister, a promise he had made when PH formed the federal government.
The two leaders have had a tempestuous relationship over the past decades, with Dr Mahathir being responsible for sacking Anwar as deputy prime minister and Umno member in the 1990s, resulting in the birth of the “reformasi” movement and the formation of PKR. – The Vibes, October 22, 2022
