[UPDATED] No unreasonable conditions in Pakatan-BN negotiations: Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR – Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim assured that there are no “unreasonable conditions” set by Barisan Nasional (BN) to secure their support and subsequently form the federal government.

Anwar said the preliminary meeting with the BN leadership, including Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who has an ongoing corruption case, only touched on matters of economy and the importance of establishing a stable government.

“There is no interference at all with the issues of present or anticipated (court) charges. We stressed the importance of good governance, inclusiveness and unity.

“I want to make that very clear,” he said in a press conference at the Seri Pacific Hotel here today. 

“I am very pleased with the outcome of the meeting we had with several representatives from Barisan Nasional to discuss the issue of a coalition government,” said @anwaribrahim pic.twitter.com/Kug0zsafoo

— TheVibes.com (@thevibesnews) November 21, 2022

Anwar also said he was pleased with the ongoing discussions with BN and optimistic that they could form a stable government, as it would be the largest political bloc.

Discussions between the two coalitions also touched on issues of “adequate” representation in government, he said.

Anwar also stressed that BN agrees for him to be the prime minister candidate.

When asked about resistance by Sembrong MP Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein of Umno on a purported DAP-led government, Anwar said it will be a unity government under his administration.

“This is not a DAP or PH-led government. It will be a unity government, so perhaps he will change his views later.”

Earlier today, Zahid announced that BN will decide en bloc who to support and form the government with.

He added that any individual statements from BN lawmakers voicing their support for any political coalition are invalid.

This followed a meeting between BN and PH leadership at the Seri Pacific Hotel here. Along with Zahid, 25 other BN lawmakers were present.

Kuala Pilah MP Datuk Adnan Abu Hassan and Jelebu MP Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias were not present as they were unwell.

Hishammuddin and Simpang Renggam MP Datuk Seri Hasni Mohammad were not at the hotel. – The Vibes, November 21, 2022