KUALA LUMPUR – During the political turmoil of 2020, which was triggered by the infamous Sheraton Move, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had claimed he possessed a “strong, formidable and convincing majority” to form a government.
Today, despite being mocked over his claim, the opposition leader maintained that his announcement back then still holds true, seeing that the support letters from the party chiefs involved are in his possession.
He added that these documents will be revealed at a later date.
Although he had “the numbers” to assume office as prime minister, Anwar indicated that his bid to wrest Putrajaya was shelved due to some “conditions” that were laid out to the politicians involved at the time.
He said there was an agreement on the matter but the conditions that Pakatan Harapan (PH) had set could not be compromised.
“We rejected shallow racial policies, we rejected corruption, and we must follow the governance and leadership (of PH).
“There was also another condition to prevent the hijacking of the government, which had happened before,” the Port Dickson MP said during a special interview with The Vibes, Malaysiakini, and Sinar Harian at his office in Bukit Gasing, yesterday afternoon.
He was asked whether there were still efforts to bring MPs to his side, similar to the bid he made in September 2020, in which he claimed the government under Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had collapsed.
Clearly, Anwar’s plan to take over Putrajaya did not come to fruition, as Muhyiddin’s government only crumbled when he resigned from the post in August last year.
Instead, the Bersatu president’s resignation saw the government switch hands to Umno’s Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
During the interview, Anwar recalled two announcements to take over the seat of government, the first of which involved the party leaders confirming their support for him.
There was progress during the second time, but I provided a fine line whereby we slightly altered policies of governance,” he said, adding that he wanted to ensure the country was free from corruption.
The PKR president said most importantly, he was unwilling to allow intervention in matters involving the judiciary, an institution that must be free and truly authoritative.
He also said he did not agree with “guarantees” to allow the release of those involved in graft charges, and that he was firm on this even though it meant that he would not become prime minister.
“From early on, the conditions in the discussions were laid out, and I did not budge.
“The root of it is this; it was due to these conditions that I failed to become prime minister. But I cannot betray the trust of the people.” – The Vibes, April 19, 2022
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