KUALA LUMPUR – PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s bid to become prime minister is dividing the grassroots, stemming from the likelihood that the party will have to share power with its rival Umno, a source told The Vibes.
“While some are open to him finally becoming the nation’s leader, others are not supportive of him working with Umno.”
He said a major concern is that those with ongoing criminal cases may have a shot at the cabinet and see their charges dropped.
“If, let’s say, Zahid is found not guilty, would Anwar give him a cabinet position if Umno demands it?” he said, referring to Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who has been slapped with 47 charges, 12 of which are for criminal breach of trust, corruption (8) and money laundering (27) relating to tens of millions of ringgit belonging to Yayasan Akalbudi.
Some PKR members, however, said such concerns are to be expected, given the “novel” situation the party is in.
“It’s normal for people to worry when new decisions and moves like this are being made. But what we must see is that Anwar seems like the only one in the country who can work with all parties in this time of crisis,” said M. Jay Raj, strategic director of PKR youth’s education bureau.
He dismissed the possibility of Umno ditching Anwar and PKR down the road.
“Who is Umno going to jump to next? Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is an option, but I don’t think he will take them back.”
Other PKR members appeared supportive of Anwar’s move to offer an olive branch to Umno, adding that it does not matter which party backs the opposition leader, so long as PKR holds federal power.
“We’ve wanted Anwar to be prime minister since day one. If MPs want to pledge support to him, it doesn’t matter which party they are from,” said Johor PKR committee member Gerald Tang.
On September 23, Anwar announced that he has “strong and formidable” majority support in the Dewan Rakyat, and that the Muhyiddin administration has effectively collapsed.
On Tuesday, the Port Dickson MP was granted an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, but did not provide the names of the lawmakers purportedly in his corner.
Sources close to Istana Negara have told The Vibes that the palace received letters of support for Anwar from the heads of political parties ahead of his audience with the king.
It is understood that the letters are from Umno (39), Amanah (11) and DAP (42). With PKR’s 38 MPs, Anwar has a total of 130 lawmakers on his side. – The Vibes, October 16, 2020
