Harapan exploring Anwar-Dr M partnership yet again - PKR source

 

Pakatan Harapan is once again exploring the possibility of a partnership between Anwar Ibrahim and Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

According to an internal PKR source, the coalition discussed the matter during its most recent presidential meeting on Jan 12.

However, no decisions have been made.

“It is true that the issue of a partnership between Anwar and Mahathir was discussed during the Harapan presidential meeting last Tuesday but we did not make any decisions.

“As of right now, no commitments about this matter have been made,” the source told Malaysiakini.

The source, who is close to the PKR president, added that most of the meeting had been on the government’s decision to impose a national emergency and the Covid-19 pandemic.

A Chinese-language newspaper previously reported that Anwar was prepared to work with the former prime minister as well as Warisan president Shafie Apdal to form a “grand coalition” for the next general election.

Back in late December, Anwar had expressed a willingness to work with “anyone” including Mahathir as long as personal agendas took a backseat and Harapan principles were honoured.

The two were previously locked in an impasse over who should be the opposition’s prime minister candidate with Mahathir eventually suggesting Shafie.

Meanwhile, the source said that the matter of collaborating with Mahathir was brought up during the Jan 12 meeting by DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng.

“During the meeting, Anwar stressed that the basis of any collaboration or cooperation must be clear principles, a commitment to the reformasi agenda, good governance, a rejection of corruption and the implementation of principles that benefit the people,” the source said.

Mahathir has insisted that the opposition pact needs him for his appeal to Malay heartland voters.

The Parti Pejuang Tanah Air chairperson recently said he was not against Anwar becoming the premier if the Port Dickson MP could prove his majority in Parliament.  - Mkini