Anwar dismisses calls for him to quit as opposition leader

Anwar Ibrahim has dismissed calls for him to step down as the opposition leader following the defeat of Pakatan Harapan in the Malacca state election as an "opinion".

While acknowledging that all views would be taken into account, Anwar cautioned members of Harapan allies that such an opinion could invite negative reactions.

"It's okay, we will look into it. But I just want to remind here that opinions shouldn't be deemed as arrogant as they could trigger negative reactions," he told the media during a programme held in Bangi yesterday.

Anwar was responding to DAP's Bilut assemblyperson Lee Chin Chen and a few others who urged him to step down as the opposition leader, take a back seat and assist the new generation of successors to reach new heights.

He said he would take responsibility for Harapan's performance in the recently concluded Malacca state election, adding that the opposition's defeat must be analysed in all aspects.

"We must look at all aspects because it is not as simple as that. Sentiments of the Chinese, Indians and Malays are different," he was quoted as saying by The Star.

Former Malacca chief minister Idris Haron

The decision to field former Malacca chief minister Idris Haron and Nor Azman Hassan as Harapan's candidates was made by Malacca Harapan, said Anwar, who is also Harapan chairperson and PKR president.

"They were confident that this is the way to return the mandate to Pakatan (Harapan).

"There were numerous occasions when Pakatan leaders in the state were appealing that we agree on the participation of the four to reinstate the mandate to Pakatan.

"Mohamad Sabu (Amanah president) disagreed... But after a series of meetings, we were persuaded, so in a way, I cannot shy from that responsibility," he said.

An independent committee would conduct a post-mortem on Harapan's results.

"We want to listen to independent views regarding our results," he added.

In the Nov 20 state assembly election, Harapan only managed to secure five out of 28 state seats contested. Anwar’s PKR lost all 11 seats it contested.

BN, on the other hand, won 21 seats and secured a two-thirds majority. Bersatu only picked up two seats while its PN coalition partners PAS and Gerakan came up empty.

PKR leaders have slammed its allies for singling out Anwar when Harapan should take collective responsibility for decisions made by the opposition coalition. - Mkini