Shafie out of the running to become PM, backs Anwar

 

Warisan president Shafie Apdal has dropped out of the running to become a prime minister candidate.

Shafie appeared to have hoped to secure support from GPS to make up the opposition's numbers, but failed to do so.

Borneo Post cited him as lamenting a lack of support from GPS to have a prime minister from East Malaysia.

However, he remained optimistic that this could become a reality in the next general election.

“It is not for myself; it has been agreed by our forefathers under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) that the Bornean states shall have equal rights as a region,” he was quoted as saying.

GPS is expected to throw the support of its 18 MPs behind Umno vice-president Ismail Sabri Yaakob as prime minister.

Ismail Sabri is expected to secure the backing of 115 MPs overall barring unexpected changes, putting him on track to helm Putrajaya.

Meanwhile, with Shafie's hopes dashed, the Warisan president said his party will back PKR president Anwar Ibrahim as the opposition's choice for prime minister.

“Anwar is our candidate, the only candidate from the opposition. My party will give full support to Anwar as prime minister,” he said.

Yesterday, Shafie had said he would back Anwar if the latter could get the numbers, and hoped the PKR president would respond in kind if he got the numbers instead.

A prime minister candidate needs the backing of at least 111 MPs to take power.

The opposition, however, appears stuck at 105 MPs.

Lawmakers have until 4PM today (Wednesday) to inform the Yang di-Pertuan Agong of their prime minister of choice. - Mkini