Although preferring not to meddle in PKR's internal affairs, Lim Guan Eng could not resist firing a minor salvo.
He suggested that Rafizi Ramli, who announced his intention to contest for the PKR number two post, should instead mount a challenge against party president Anwar Ibrahim.
The DAP secretary-general raised this when responding to Rafizi's scathing remarks about Pakatan Harapan, which he claimed was contemplating a pact with Perikatan Nasional (PN) for the next general election.
However, Lim believed that the criticism was aimed at Anwar.
“I even issued a statement before his (Rafizi's) statement came out - saying no PN. Where is the issue?
“I think this one is basically directed at Anwar because he mentions not just Harapan but PKR (as well). So, from there, it is clear that if there are any negotiations, they will talk to Anwar.
“They will not (talk) with us. If necessary, you ask us (Lim and Amanah president Mohamad Sabu) to come in (for the discussion) but basically, Anwar will be the key person to talk to.
“So, his (Rafizi's) target is Anwar. I think that since this is for his campaign purposes for deputy president, I don't want to get involved.
“Perhaps, instead of contesting for deputy president, he should contest for president’s post straight,” Lim told Malaysiakini in an exclusive interview.
Reiterating that he did not wish to get caught in the crossfire between Anwar and Rafizi, Lim said he just wanted to set the record straight.
“I think he (Rafizi) got his facts wrong,” he added.
Elaborating, Lim said Harapan leaders have not held discussions with their PN counterparts regarding an electoral pact.
On the same note, the former finance minister made it clear that he was speaking on behalf of DAP leaders and Mohamad, who is popularly known as Mat Sabu.
“As far as top leaders are concerned, no discussion. By that, I mean myself and Mat Sabu - no discussion. Second-level leaders talk to everyone. (At) Parliament, you talk to everyone,” he added.
‘No discussions with PN’
Asked if Anwar is interested in working with PN, which comprises key players behind the infamous Sheraton Move that collapsed the Harapan government, Lim said he would let PKR answer that question.
“As far as DAP is concerned, as I said just now, we did not have discussions with PN.
“As far as during or before the Johor election at the top level, Mat Sabu and I never met Muhyiddin. I don't think Anwar met Muhyiddin.
“But after (the) election, whether they (Anwar and Muhyiddin) met in Parliament and talked, that you have to ask Anwar,” he added.
Commenting on DAP lawmaker Ong Kian Ming's proposal for Harapan to adopt a flexible approach, Lim said the former was looking at it from an academic perspective in terms of dispersion and the spread of votes cast in the Johor state election,
“Ong is looking at it from an academic point to see how you can maximise your chances, but this is a political question. You can be flexible, but you cannot compromise your principles,” he added.
On the impression that he appeared to be closer to Mat Sabu than Anwar, Lim said this is because he had spent 18 months in prison together with the Amanah president.
“I am also close to Anwar, and Mat Sabu is probably close to Anwar also. I mean in their younger days, they were together.
“But for me and Mat Sabu, it is because we were in the same camp, we got to know each other well... when you endure the pain together, you forge a true friendship,” Lim added. - Mkini
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