Risky for Umno to side with Anwar, says Dr M

 

Langkawi MP Dr Mahathir Mohamad has said that he believed that Umno MPs would be taking a risk by switching allegiance and supporting PKR president Anwar Ibrahim's bid to become prime minister.

In an interview with Utusan Malaysia published today, Mahathir said should Umno MPs switch sides, it would cause the Perikatan Nasional government to collapse and there would still be no guarantee that Anwar could form a new government.

"(If that happens) PN will fall, so will Umno. If there is a tie-up between Anwar and Umno, some (Umno MPs) will withdraw and (Anwar) won't have the majority either," he said.

From the July parliamentary sitting, it could be discerned that only 109 out of 222 MPs were against Muhyiddin Yassin.

However, this might change at the upcoming Dewan Rakyat sitting which will begin on Nov 2 because of undercurrents within Umno.

So far, the party's political bureau has called for a new deal with Muhyiddin which is currently being negotiated.

Additionally, Anwar has claimed that he has the numbers to form a new government but has yet to prove it.

What is certain is that Mahathir and four MPs loyal to him do not intend to support Anwar.

In an interview with The Vibes published today, Mahathir placed the blame squarely on Anwar.

Anwar Ibrahim

"Anwar himself doesn't want me. He made it very clear that he doesn't want me," said Mahathir.

Anwar has never explicitly said so. On Sept 23, Anwar was asked by the press if his list of supportive MPs included Mahathir to which he replied: "He may decide later, but as of now, no".

When asked the same question again on Oct 13, Anwar said he was trying to form an inclusive government and would not deny anyone from participating as long as they agree with good governance and institutional reforms.

However, from Mahathir's perspective, he said he had been rejected by Anwar outright and presented a historical argument.

"When we tried to work again with Pakatan Harapan [...] that meeting with him present. I offered that I'll be prime minister only for six months [...] (but he said) no.

"When he made his announcement about overthrowing Muhyiddin, he said the numbers do not include me and my ground.

"So he doesn't want me, why should I want him?" asked Mahathir. - Mkini