Aide tells of election night drama that ensured Zahid, BN joined unity coalition

 

Shamsul Iskandar Akin pictured with Anwar Ibrahim in the Prime Minister’s Office. In a podcast today, he recounted how his defeat in Bagan Datuk in 2022 ensured the formation of a new government. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

An aide to the prime minister has recounted an election night drama in 2022 that secured the Bagan Datuk seat for Barisan Nasional chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, ensuring that BN would enter a coalition with Pakatan Harapan to form the government.

Shamsul Iskandar Akin, the senior political secretary to Anwar Ibrahim, was one of three challengers to Zahid in Bagan Datuk. He said he had intended to call for a recount as he was behind by 348 votes, with 800 spoilt votes.

But he was persuaded by a 2.30am phone call from Anwar not to proceed as he was told BN had agreed to join forces with PH to form a government. Anwar told him “This is the real thing. Please, use your wisdom”, he said.

Zahid’s election in Bagan Datuk was critical, said Shamsul in the Apa Cerita podcast. Zahid’s seat gave BN 30 MPs, which combined with the 82 from PH, gave the alliance the 112 seats required to form the government.

He said he had intended to push for a recount in Bagan Datuk, “but Anwar said Zahid had already signed a letter (agreeing for BN) to form the government with PH”.

Shamsul said when Anwar called, “I told him we have to fight (for the seat). We have to make sure the votes are counted properly, since there were almost 800 spoilt votes. I mean, how could it be? I lost by 348 (votes), so we wanted to continue and (push for a recount).”

“But Anwar said we were going to form the government. I asked Anwar, ‘Boss, is this really happening?’ and he said, ‘Yes, Sam, we are forming the government’,” said Shamsul.

He added that he conceded to Anwar as it was “the general’s orders”, but admitted to feeling saddened having gone all out to wrest Bagan Datuk from Zahid’s grip after six terms as MP.

The November 2022 general election resulted in a hung Parliament as no single party among PH, BN and Perikatan Nasional obtained the simple majority of 112 seats needed to form a government.

Zahid stated on Nov 23 that he was informed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, in an audience at Istana Negara that afternoon, that BN must be part of a unity government to be formed.

Anwar was appointed Malaysia’s 10th prime minister on Nov 24, after forming a grand coalition of PH, BN, Gabungan Parti Sarawak and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah and minor parties. - FMT