In a bid to assuage the concerns of Malay electorates, Pakatan Harapan chairperson Anwar Ibrahim assured that DAP would not be in control of the coalition under his watch if it wins the coming national polls.
Anwar explained that DAP is a faithful ally and accepts as well as respects the Constitution.
"Let me say this, if we win the election, the one who will be the leader is Anwar, not (former premier) Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
"Secondly, the government in the country will always have a Malay prime minister and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is Malay, and a Malay menteri besar like in Perak and Selangor,” he said in a speech during a meet and greet event with the Indian community in Ulu Kinta, Perak this evening.
His response came after a participant asked the opposition leader for assurance that DAP will not take over the coalition if Harapan emerges as the victor in the 15th general election.
Despite DAP's repeated denials, Umno and PAS had accused it of controlling Mahathir when he was the prime minister under the Harapan administration, and posing a threat to the Malay community and Islam.
This issue resurfaced over the past few weeks with PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang claiming that DAP pressured Harapan over the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (Icerd) and the Rome Statute (on the international criminal court) and accused the party of being “pro-communist”.
‘Accept all races’
In related news, Anwar said that there’s a dire need to reform the political scene, stressing the importance to make it respectful and accepting of all races and religions.
"I want Indians to support, believe and love me. But how can they do that if I don’t support, believe and love them?
"We are human and should not humiliate others just because of their race and religion.
“Yes, definitely we will help the Malays who are poor, but at the same time we cannot reject Indians who are poor,” he added.
Earlier at the event, some 480 Tambun MIC members from eight divisions quit the party to show support for Harapan.
They submitted membership forms to Anwar to join PKR.
The PKR president will be contesting Tambun come polling day on Nov 19. Anwar will face incumbent Ahmad Faizal Azumu of Bersatu and Umno’s Aminuddin Md Hanafiah. - Mkini
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