The Malaysian Insight

ANWAR Ibrahim has rejected Pejuang’s support in his bid to form a new federal government, said Dr Mahathir Mohamad today.

Pejuang’s founding chairman said this was evident when Anwar himself discounted Pejuang’s support for him during a press conference on Wednesday.

Dr Mahathir said Anwar had said in the media briefing that he had everyone’s support, except for Dr Mahathir’s.

“Pejuang was rejected (from joining Anwar). (Anwar) said everyone supports him except for Dr Mahathir,” the former prime minister said in Langkawi.

“I have been rejected straightaway. How then can we support him? We have been rejected early on.”

On Wednesday, PKR president Anwar had said he has the numbers to form the federal government, adding that the Perikatan Nasional government has fallen.

“I have a strong, formidable and convincing majority to form the government.

“I have full support, that is convincing from the parliamentarians, to present to the Agong. The majority support is from Malay-Muslim parliamentarians.

“With the firm majority… Muhyiddin’s government has fallen,” he had told the press conference.

However, he did not disclose the number of lawmakers who have aligned themselves to his party.

The Port Dickson MP had said he would only disclose this once he presents himself to the king.

He had also said that Dr Mahathir and his party Pejuang had not yet decided to join him.

“He may decide later, but for now, no,” said the opposition leader.

Reacting to Anwar’s announcement the same day, Dr Mahathir had said he wanted to see proof of Anwar’s claim before deciding on the matter.

“We will have to wait to see if this is another episode of making claims that cannot be substantiated,” he had said.

The Langkawi MP reiterated his stand today by asking Anwar to prove that he has the majority to form the federal government.

“I hope that he can show his majority. Prove that you (Anwar) really have the majority and we (Pejuang) will then decide on our next move.

“If (Anwar) just makes claims without substantiating them, this will cause instability in the country. It will affect investments and businesses,” Dr Mahathir said.

He added that Anwar has made similar claims before, including in late February following the former’s own resignation as prime minister. – September 25, 2020.