Anwar named for PM post

 

KUALA LUMPUR: If Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan decide to form the next government, the next prime minister will be none other than Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

According to Anwar, no other names for premiership was mentioned during a meeting between Pakatan and Barisan top leaders in Seri Pacific Hotel yesterday.

“They (Barisan) did not suggest any other names in the discussion. But, (for) my preferred choice for deputy prime minister, let me assume premiership first,” Anwar said at a press conference after the meeting.

The unprecedented meeting between Barisan and Pakatan top leaders took place between 10am and noon yesterday.

Anwar said there were no other conditions set by Barisan and he assured that there would not be any interference in the ongoing court cases of certain leaders.

“We did stress good governance, inclusiveness, unity and focus on the economy.

“So, I want to make it clear that this (judicial interference) was not raised at all in private or formal meetings,” he added.

The Tambun MP also said he was pleased with the outcome of the Barisan-Pakatan meeting.

Met by reporters after the press conference, Anwar said Pakatan exceeded the required 112-seat majority needed to form the government.

“We have exceeded. It is comfortable,” he said.

In his earlier remarks, he said the statutory declarations signed by certain Umno MPs in support of Perikatan chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as prime minister might have adverse effects on their party membership.

“It is seen to go against the agreement with Barisan. There will be adverse effects for MPs who go against this agreement by submitting statutory declarations in support of Perikatan,” he said.

Anwar also said talks in post-electoral pacts would include various leaders, including those from Sabah and Sarawak.

He stressed that if Barisan and Pakatan manage to form the next Federal Government, they would prioritise political stability and the economy.

“It will be an inclusive government because we have to focus on governance and the economy, which has been virtually stagnant in the last few years.

“I am optimistic that we will be able to form a government that is more transparent and democratic to safeguard the interests of the rakyat,” he added.

Among leaders involved in the meeting were caretaker Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke and several other top guns. - Star