Maszlee: Harapan needs Dr M, Anwar has no sole right to be next PM

Amid talks within the Opposition bloc over who should be its prime minister candidate, an ally of Dr Mahathir Mohamad has cautioned that they need his help to secure enough seats to form a government.

In a long Facebook post today, Simpang Renggam MP Maszlee Malik speculated that Pakatan Harapan chief Anwar Ibrahim could not muster the support of more than 112 MPs to form a majority. 

With the former prime minister’s help, he touted that the support could be “ramped” up to 130 MPs or even 148 MPs.

“If you only want to be in the Opposition till the end of time, feel free to brush aside Mahathir and the strong influence he brings.

“But if you want to return as the government as per GE14’s mandate, this is where Mahathir’s ‘galah sejengkal’ (longer wooden stick) comes into play,” he said.

“Galah sejengkal” is a play on the Malay phrase “kail sejengkal”, which Maszlee uses in this context to mean additional help.

Elaborating, he hoped that Anwar and Mahathir would be able to join forces and combine their support.

“The discussions to take over the government from Perikatan Nasional and choose a ninth PM should not be based on the belief that that the ninth PM is the sole right of Anwar Ibrahim when based on the numbers.

“The truth is clear, without Mahathir, the chances to take over the government are extremely thin, impossible even,” he reiterated.

Do we want to win GE15 in style?

Even the 107 number touted by Anwar was thanks to Mahathir, Maszlee said. 

“We need to ask ourselves a realistic question - who has a strong enough influence to negotiate a minimum of five more seats?” he asked.

Elaborating, Maszlee propositioned that allowing Mahathir the upper hand to conduct negotiations will win the Opposition bloc more support from Bersatu, Umno and more.

“This includes several Bersatu MPs in Muhyiddin Yassin’s faction who are in a dilemma and questioning their position, as well as several Umno MPs who are sick of the culture of corruption and kleptocracy in their party.

“When this 112 number is achieved, this ‘galah sejengkal’ will be used again to bring the number to 130. The analogy is simple, this 112 stick is capable of reaching the branches of the other ‘18 fruits’ even though they are very high up,” he alluded.

The speculation is that the Opposition bloc has been trying to obtain the support of GPS’ 18 MPs.

Maszlee further touted that Mahathir will be able to convince an additional 17 MPs to bring “at least” 148 MPs to his side and solidify Harapan Plus’ chances in the next general election.

“If we respect and understand the miracle of Mahathir’s ‘galah sejengkal’, not only will we be able to reclaim the government. We will also be able to strategise for GE15 to use the ‘Heineken effect’ and win in style, God-willing,” he said.

The “Heineken effect” refers to a marketing campaign that claimed the beer could “refresh the parts where other beers can’t reach”.  - Mkini