KOTA KINABALU – Sabah PKR Youth chief Raymond Ahuar has asserted the state wing’s backing for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to continue as opposition leader, saying Pakatan Harapan still has the most MPs in the bloc.
Parti Warisan Sabah’s call for a new opposition leadership in Parliament is unwarranted as the party is not even part of PH, he told The Vibes.
“Are they eyeing the position of opposition chief? I know Warisan isn’t part of PH. They are free to express their views and plan their own direction.
“But do they have the numbers to back them?”
PKR is also consistent in its bid to have Anwar installed as prime minister, whether through a show of parliamentary support or in the next general election, he said.
Eight Warisan MPs chose to be absent from key bloc votes on Budget 2021 this week.
Party whip and Labuan MP Datuk Rosman Isli said the group’s absence was deliberate, aimed at sending a signal to Anwar and PH that a new opposition leadership is desired.
Warisan, led by Semporna MP Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, is unhappy with the opposition’s infighting that led to PH losing power in February, he said.
The discontent was aggravated by Anwar’s last-minute decision to allow the Budget to be passed at the policy stage without discussing the matter with opposition lawmakers.
Ahuar said those trying to derail PKR’s push to make Anwar prime minister are betraying the people’s mandate in the 2018 elections.
He said the deal between PH components was to have Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad hand over the prime minister’s post to the PKR president after a certain period.
“But sadly, that did not happen. Instead, Perikatan Nasional took power, and Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was made prime minister following a power crisis at the federal level in February this year.
“We in PKR and the rest in PH remain committed to see to it that Anwar is made prime minister, either in Parliament or the 15th general election.” – The Vibes, December 3, 2020
