PKR founder believes Anwar won't turn to Umno MPs plagued by graft cases

 

PKR founding member Syed Husin Ali believes that his party president Anwar Ibrahim will abide by a Pakatan Harapan decision not to cooperate with Umno MPs who are facing graft cases in trying to form a new government.

This came amid concerns Anwar has to cut deals with the likes of Pekan MP Najib Abdul Razak, who was convicted over the misappropriation of RM42 million from state-owned SRC International Sdn Bhd, in order to muster sufficient numbers in the Dewan Rakyat.

This was further fuelled by reports that Najib along with Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also facing graft charges, had written to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to indicate support for Anwar.

"I"m not saying that we won't accept (support) but I'm saying we won't cooperate with Najib and Zahid.

"Anwar as the Harapan chairperson has to respect Harapan's decision," he told Malaysiakini.

Syed Husin said Harapan, which comprises PKR allies DAP and Amanah, had already decided that any formation of a new government should not involve Umno MPs allegedly involved in corruption. 

"PKR will abide by Harapan's decision and he (Anwar) as the chairperson of Harapan won't breach it on his own accord.

"Anwar will stand by Harapan's decision. Harapan can work with individual Umno members, not necessarily Umno as a whole," he added.

Anwar had on Sept 23 claimed that he had secured a formidable majority to form the new government.

Hours after the announcement, Zahid issued a statement confirming that many Umno MPs were leaning towards Anwar.

This raised concerns, particularly in DAP, on Anwar possibly working with Zahid who is facing 47 charges of money laundering, corruption and criminal breach of trust.

Anwar has not revealed the list of MPs purportedly backing him but has provided supporting documents to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

However, the monarch will not be calling any party leaders to verify the claim until after the conditional movement control order (MCO) which expires on Oct 27 for Kuala Lumpur where Istana Negara is located.

The conditional MCO was reimplemented after a spike in Covid-19 cases.

Yesterday, MalaysiaNow reported that Najib and Zahid in a joint letter to the ruler had indicated that Umno was supporting Anwar.

Umno vice-president Mohamed Khaled Nordin, however, was quoted by Astro Awani downplaying the purported letter, calling it mere "speculation".

This was amid Umno's dissatisfaction with Bersatu, claiming that it was being sidelined by the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government.

Umno had announced that it may quit the PN administration, which will lead to its collapse if Umno does not get a new deal.

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has a fragile majority, controlling only 113 out of the 222 parliamentary seats. The defection of three MPs is enough to topple his government.

Muhyiddin has asked Umno to state its demands in a bid to rescue his government. - Mkini