Ibrahim Ali downplays Dr M’s ability to topple govt

 

Putra president Ibrahim Ali (right) said Dr Mahathir Mohamad did not have the ‘locus standi’ to oust the prime minister as the GTA chairman is not an MP.

PUTRAJAYA: Putra president Ibrahim Ali has played down Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s ability to topple the government, after Mahathir’s meeting with PAS leaders sparked speculation of such a move.

Ibrahim said Mahathir lacked the “locus standi” to oust Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim as the Gerakan Tanah Air (GTA) chairman is not an MP.

He maintained that the meeting between Mahathir and PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang last night was not political but was aimed at “raising awareness” among the Malays.

Last night, Hadi and several PAS leaders signed Mahathir’s “Malay Proclamation” in the presence of the former prime minister to signify their support for his call for the Malays to unite and “save” the community.

Others who were present at the meeting included PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan and vice-president Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar.

According to Berita Harian, Amanah communications director Khalid Samad claimed that the meeting between Mahathir and Hadi was to have an “agreement” to overthrow the unity government.

Ibrahim, a former Pasir Mas MP, said he was unaware of any attempt to overthrow the unity government, though Mahathir did meet Hadi and other political figures recently, including former Kelantan Umno leader Annuar Musa.

“But they came to see Mahathir just to support the ‘Malay Proclamation’ that Mahathir initiated. That’s all,” he said.

He added that the meeting between the two leaders had been postponed twice due to Mahathir’s health.

In March, a “Malay Proclamation” event featuring Mahathir was called off after the administrators of the host venues cancelled the organiser’s bookings.

Mahathir had accused Anwar of ordering the cancellations because “nothing like this can be done without his consent or directive”.

Last week, the former Langkawi MP said people should not fear the “green wave” of support for Perikatan Nasional, adding that Malaysia saw rapid development when it was governed by a Malay-majority government for 60 years.

Mahathir, who is former Pejuang chairman, also claimed that non-Malays “achieved a lot of progress” during that period. - FMT