“UMNO pushing for PH to underperform in next GE”

 

A PROMINENT blogger who was recently arrested in Thailand for comments on Prime Minister (PM) Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim thinks UMNO is doing everything for Pakatan Harapan (PH) to fail in the next general election (GE).

In a post published by The Vibes, blogger Murray Hunter said UMNO’s game plan requires PH to underperform, creating space for Deputy PM Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to emerge as a contender as the future PM.

He also said that UMNO winning the most seats would allow Zahid to nurture a coalition and strengthen his claim to the prime ministership.

“UMNO requires PH to perform poorly in the coming general election to achieve the above. However, this doesn’t discount Anwar from still being able to come up and obtain a second term as prime minister,” said Hunter.

He said if UMNO wins more seats than other Malay parties, Zahid will have the upperhand.

“If that occurs, then Zahid would be the ‘natural’ nominee to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (YDPA) Sultan Ibrahim to become the PM.

“If UMNO comes in second to PAS in the number of seats won, which is more likely, then it will be a matter of negotiation to determine which party would nominate their representative for the position of PM.

“In this situation, it would be Zahid’s ability to be able to pull together a coalition to create a government that may give him the credence to be the one considered as the prime ministerial candidate in a coalition put forward to the YDPA to approve,” added Hunter.

He further added that the party expects a hung parliament and aims to capitalise by forming alliances.

For Anwar to remain as PM after the next GE, he must lead PH to at least 65 seats to be the largest grouping in the new parliament.

In this position, it would be expected that Anwar would be requested by the YDPA to form a new government.

“If Anwar can muster those numbers, which is very possible, integrity will allow Zahid to support Anwar as PM once again.

“GE16 is going to be a tight election,” he said. —  Focus Malaysia