Anwar: Muhyiddin and I had meetings, but never about supporting him

 

Opposition chief Anwar Ibrahim revealed there have been ongoing discussions between him and Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin, but they have never discussed supporting the latter to become prime minister again.

Speaking to reporters last night, Anwar, who is PKR president, said the issue of the Pakatan Harapan coalition backing Muhyiddin and PN to return to power “does not arise”.

"Meeting has been going on for a long time, I cannot deny that - meeting. But, there is no question about this decision of (the Harapan) coalition to support him; it does not arise," Anwar said.

He was met by reporters after a dinner event in Subang Jaya which he organised in honour of DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang who recently retired from politics.

The Port Dickson MP was responding to reporters' questions regarding news that Muhyiddin and the PN leadership are wooing Pejuang chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad to support Muhyiddin in his bid to become prime minister a second time.

However, Anwar declined to comment on the matter, saying that it does not concern Harapan.

"That is their decision; PH (Harapan) is not involved," he said.

On Thursday, Mahathir revealed Muhyiddin met him to secure cooperation for the 15th general election, which must be held by the middle of next year.

Mahathir however was dismissive of the idea, calling Muhyiddin a backstabber for what he did to the Harapan government in 2020 and said the latter had failed as a prime minister.

A year later, Muhyiddin was ousted as prime minister when PN partner Umno pulled the rug under him and picked party vice-president Ismail Sabri Yaakob to replace him.

Meanwhile, asked to comment on the rivalry between Rafizi Ramli and Saifuddin Nasution Ismail who are both running for the PKR deputy president post, Anwar expressed his optimism that it would be a civil and healthy competition.

He believed it would not be like 2018 when Rafizi contested the post against Azmin Ali, which saw a split in the party. - Mkini