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By Teoh Pei Ying March 13, 2020 @ 7:09pm

PETALING JAYA: Pakatan Harapan (PH) now comprises of PKR, DAP and Parti Amanah Negara, following the exit of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) from the pact, said PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

The pact was reduced to three parties after Bersatu quit the pact leading to the collapse of the PH federal government on Feb 24.

Political realignment in the subsequent weeks saw the PH state governments in Johor, Melaka and Perak morph into Perikatan Nasional led governments.

“As far as I am concerned, PH as it stands now, as we discussed this morning, is Keadilan (PKR), DAP and Amanah (Parti Amanah Negara).

“Bersatu has decided some weeks back to leave,” he said at a press conference at PKR headquarters this afternoon.

He said that the pact’s chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was also no longer a PH member.

“As per today’s stance, he (Tun M) is not a member of PH,” he said.

Anwar said that this however did not discount the possibility that the former premier could change his stance.

“We do not discount any sort of relationship or contact with anyone including Tun M,” he said.

On Mahathir’s statement that Malays were unable to accept him (Anwar) as the next premier, Anwar said it was the Langkawi Member of Parliament who rejected him.

“Tun Mahathir rejected me, but I am not sure about the Malays,” he said.

Anwar said more than 60 per cent of Malays supported him during the Port Dickson by-election, and the majority of them supported him when he stood at Permatang Pauh, which is a Malay base.

“My patience is legendary. So I don’t think I can be easily provoked.

“Mahathir has been saying nasty things for many decades, and I don’t think that has affected the party’s position in setting our priorities correctly,” Anwar said.

Asked whether Dr Mahathir was still committed to PH, he replied: “That you would have to ask him, because he may change his mind tomorrow, and hopefully he can remain consistent in his views.”

On whether PH would still continue to table a motion of no confidence against the current government, the Port Dickson Member of Parliament said the decision would be made in the coming weeks based on national and political developments.

“The focus now is on strengthening PH and (look into) national issues including the economy, unemployment, Covid-19 and the hardship of the people.

“We will see in the next few weeks what should be done depending on the number of support we have, that’s our position this morning, we are not discounting any possibility, but the focus must be the rakyat, economy and Covid-19,” he said.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/politics/2020/03/574398/ph-now-comprises-pkr-dap-and-amanah

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Anwar: Mahathir not a member of Harapan

Kow Gah Chie & Low Choon ChyuanPublished 13 Mar 2020, 4:34 pmModified 13 Mar 2020, 6:56 pm184

PKR president Anwar Ibrahim has said that Pakatan Harapan now comprises three parties following the exit of Bersatu.

He said this when asked if Dr Mahathir Mohamad is still the chairperson of the former ruling coalition.

“For that, you have to ask him, he may change his mind tomorrow,” he quipped. but immediately pointing out that Mahathir was not a member of Harapan.

“As far as I am concerned, what is the position of Pakatan Harapan? Harapan, as it stands today, as we discussed this morning, is Keadilan, DAP and Amanah.

“Bersatu had decided some weeks back to leave (the coalition),” he told the media after chairing the Harapan Presidential Council earlier today.

He, however, said Harapan can still discuss with Mahathir on the matter.

“I am not discounting any sort of relationship or contact with anyone including Mahathir […] I have no problem having discussions with Mahathir and the others,” he said.

Anwar also noted Mahathir had invited some of the leaders of Harapan to meet him today. 

When asked about Mahathir’s statement that Malays are unable to accept him (Anwar) as the next premier, Anwar said it was Mahathir who rejected him.

“Tun Mahathir rejected me, but I am not sure about the Malays,” he said.

Anwar said more than 60 percent of Malays supported him during the Port Dickson by-election, and the majority of them supported him when he stood at Permatang Pauh.

“My patience is legendary. So, I don’t think I can be easily provoked.

“Mahathir has been saying nasty things for many decades, and I don’t think that has affected the party’s position in setting our priorities correctly,” added Anwar. 

“My patience is god-level and I have been slandered on many things. So I am not going to answer them one by one. Suffice to say that our priority is our struggle to uphold justice and the interests of the people,” he said.

Mahathir reportedly said Anwar was “crazy” to become prime minister.

The nonagenarian said he could not make Anwar his deputy because the latter was allegedly perceived by the Malays as too liberal.

Mahathir di not show up at the “Pertahan Mandat Rakyat” event held by Harapan in Kuala Lumpur on March 9.

At the presser today, Anwar said Harapan and PKR stood firm in promoting multiracial politics even it meant he would miss the opportunity to be made prime minister in the future. 

https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/514573

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