The Malaysian Insight

BERSATU wants its chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad to become Pakatan Harapan’s prime minister candidate because the former prime minister is qualified for the post, said deputy president Mukhriz Mahathir. 

Mukhriz said the prime minister candidate should not be determined by the number of seats the party contested.

“Our country needs someone who is experienced, has an excellent record in solving crises, and has the honesty to fight for the interest of the people and not for personal interest. 

“PPBM (Bersatu) doesn’t want the prime minister’s post because we want the glamour or the fun. But PPBM demands the post of prime minister because our chairman, Dr Mahathir, is the most qualified to resolve Malaysia’s problems,” he said in his winding-up speech at the party’s inaugural annual general meeting in Shah Alam today.

Mukhriz’s statement comes as PH is stalled from making a formal announcement on its prime minister candidate ahead of the 14th general election due to opposition from PKR.

PKR has set three conditions for Dr Mahathir to be interim prime minister: that the party’s de facto leader, Anwar Ibrahim, be installed as prime minister within a year if PH wins GE14, that PKR be given the bulk of federal seats to contest in Peninsular Malaysia and that Dr Mahathir agrees to reform the country’s institutions.

Earlier today, Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin said the party was fully behind Dr Mahathir and wanted the former prime minister to play a vital role in leading the PH government.

In agreeing with Muhyiddin, Mukriz said most Malaysians wanted Dr Mahathir to lead PH and eventually become prime minister.

“The prime minister’s post is not a reward, but a heavy responsibility for whoever holds it.”

On seat negotiations, he called on other PH component parties to allow Bersatu to contest as many parliamentary seats as possible, as the party could serve as Umno’s replacement in serving Malays in the peninsula.

Mukhriz added that Bersatu was ready to face three-cornered fights in the next general election.

“We are confident that with our efforts to get people’s support, we can help PH win in three-cornered fights.” – December 30, 2017.