Harapan Plus' PM candidate – tug of war from East to West

With Pakatan Harapan and its allies claiming to have the numbers to upend the Perikatan Nasional government, discussions are still ongoing on who will be named as the prime minister candidate.

Malaysiakini spoke to various sources representing the factions embroiled in the Game of Thrones to understand what is transpiring behind the scene.

Among the proposals put forth is for Bersatu's disputed chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad to return as prime minister for the third time, albeit for several months, while Harapan leader Anwar Ibrahim serves as his number two.

The last time such a pairing happened, it did not bode well for Anwar, who was fired from the position in 1998 and landed in prison on charges, which he claimed were fabricated.

"From what I know, one of the things discussed was having Tun (Mahathir) as PM and Anwar as DPM," said a source close to Mahathir's camp.

The source also claimed that Anwar had agreed, which was refuted by one of the latter's aides.

"It was discussed, yes. But we would not agree to such a thing," he told Malaysiakini.

Another source from the same camp confirmed this, stressing that Anwar had rejected the offer and there is no room for further negotiations.

"He (Mahathir) started this mess. He resigned as PM (which led to the collapse of Harapan's 22-month-old government.

"To Datuk Seri (Anwar), why do we want to give him (Mahathir) another chance at becoming PM?" he added.

Both Mahathir and Anwar have dominated the Malaysian political landscape for more than two decades, which led some to propose a third candidate for the top post instead.

According to another source, there was a proposal to name Warisan president Mohd Shafie Apdal as Harapan Plus' prime minister candidate.

However, the source claimed the proposal hit a brick wall due to a lack of consensus from the other parties.

Meanwhile, sources revealed that another East Malaysian leader is also vying for the post.

"The leader of (a party from Sarawak) also wants to the chance (to be PM)," claimed one source.

Malaysiakini is withholding the name of the leader and his party pending further details.

For the record, Malaysia has never had a prime minister or deputy prime minister from Sabah or Sarawak.

The highest position held by an MP from East Malaysia is senior minister, which is said to be equivalent to that of deputy prime minister.

It is being held by Fadillah Yusof from Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), which is backing the current Perikatan Nasional government.

"So now, there are also discussions for a compromise, where Harapan Plus would propose two DPM seats, each from Sabah and Sarawak.

"This is on the basis of strengthening ties with the two states," the source added.

Such a move, according to sources, might convince GPS to throw its weight behind Harapan Plus and deliver a death blow to the PN government, which is clinging on to power with a brittle two-seat advantage.

It is learned that Harapan's presidential council would convene again this afternoon to deliberate on the issue. - Mkini