After Dr M's admission of no majority, PKR calls for Harapan meeting

PKR has called for a meeting of Harapan leaders to come up with the coalition's formal stand on the new Perikatan Nasional pact.

Its chief organising secretary Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad (above) said the decision was made by the party's political bureau at its meeting last night, in light of former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad's reported remarks that he may no longer have the majority to challenge Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin's appointment in the Dewan Rakyat.

"The political bureau on March 11 have decided that Harapan's leadership comprising PKR, Amanah and DAP must meet and discuss our stand.

"Any other (individual) views will not represent the views of PKR and Harapan," said the Setiawangsa MP in a statement today.

In an interview with Malay daily Sinar Harian, Mahathir said the current PN government is likely to survive until the next general election.

Mahathir said this was as Muhyiddin had allegedly "converted" supporters to his cause by offering "sweets" such as minister posts.

Mahathir had initially claimed to have majority support of 115 MPs, although four from among the list - Eddin Shazlee Shith (Kuala Pilah), Jeffrey Kitingan (Keningau), Jonathan Yasin (Ranau) and Maximus Ongkili (Kota Marudu) - are now part of the new PN government.

Also on the list was Bukit Gantang MP Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal and Sri Aman MP Masir Kujat who both denied supporting Mahathir.

Commenting further, Nik Nazmi said Harapan must continue to focus on its reform agenda and defending the people's mandate in the last 14th general elections.

"Harapan must return to the spirit of Buku Harapan to uplift the people's lives, hit by economic pressures, the Covid-19 outbreak and drop of global crude oil price," he said.

Speculations over PKR president Anwar Ibrahim's future as Mahathir's successor mounted in the months leading to Harapan's downfall, with a faction within PKR led by its former deputy president Azmin Ali - who eventually left and backed the new PN pact - had gone against the idea of a power handover.

Since then, Anwar's wife, former deputy prime minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail had indicated that the Port Dickson MP will most likely lead Harapan in the event of fresh polls. - Mkini