Kit Siang: Six 'survival tests' for Anwar, four next week

 

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's administration has six “survival tests” in the pipeline, with four coming up next week.

These tests, said Lim Kit Siang, will determine if the unity government cobbled together after the general election will survive for the next five years.

Topping the DAP veteran’s list are the election of the Dewan Rakyat speaker on Dec 19, the vote of confidence motion in Anwar as prime minister on Dec 20 and the motion of thanks for the royal address, which in effect, is the government’s policy programme for the year, and the approval for the 2023 Budget.

The budget was tabled by Anwar’s predecessor Ismail Sabri Yaakob in October just before Parliament was dissolved for the general election.

Next Monday, the current federal government will be tabling the motion for the payment of emoluments for 2023, with Anwar stating that if it is not passed, civil servants’ salaries cannot be paid in January.

Meanwhile, Lim also cited the Umno annual general meet from Jan 11-14 as another test.

This would be the first general meeting since BN collaborated with Pakatan Harapan and it could set the tone for what is in store for Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi with regard to the upcoming Umno polls.

Should Anwar and his government survive these hurdles, Lim said the sixth test would be the state elections for Kedah, Kelantan, Negeri Sembilan, Penang, Selangor and Terengganu.

Green wave

The general election witnessed Perikatan Nasional making significant gains amongst the Malay electorate, leading observers to describe it as the “green wave”.

“PN will do its utmost to make gains in these six states to topple the unity government,” warned Lim.

“In fact, Negeri Sembilan PN chairperson had declared that the coalition is aiming to win at least 19 out of the 36 state seats to form the state government,” he added.

Noting how Penang Harapan had raised the alarm, Lim urged the coalition not to take the threat lightly.

“I welcome the announcement by Harapan secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail that the coalition will conduct roadshows beginning early next year in preparation for the elections in six states.

“They can do better in the six states than their performance in the 15th general election,” he added.

Negeri Sembilan, Selangor and Penang are Harapan-led states while Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu are under PN, in which PAS has assumed a dominant position. - Mkini