The Malaysian Insight

PAKATAN Harapan (PH) chairman Anwar Ibrahim can never become the prime minister if he works together with component party DAP, said Muhyiddin Yassin. 

The Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman claimed that he had directly told Anwar this when they met, after the former was appointed the prime minister.  

“When we met in my office, I told him “You will never become the prime minister as long as you are there (with DAP) because the Malays will reject you because you are together with DAP”. 

“I told him straight but today he is back (with DAP in PH) here in Tambun (trying to become prime minister) with the hopes that he will win easily over Peja (Ahmad Faizal Azumu). Poorah….,” the Bersatu president said at a ceramah in Tambun last night.  

PKR president Anwar will face a four-cornered fight for the Tambun parliamentary seat in the coming general election (GE15).  

Besides incumbent Faizal and Anwar, the others in the race are Umno Tambun division chief Aminuddin Md Hanafiah, who is contesting as Barisan Nasional’s candidate and Abdul Rahim Tahir of Pejuang.  

Muhyiddin described Faizal as a “giant”, whom he believed could defeat Anwar. 

Recalling his memories, Muhyiddin also said that Anwar had pledged to make him his deputy when he became the prime minister.  

“Not many know of this as I’ve not told this story.  

“After he was released from prison (in 2018), he asked me if I remember what he had said to me back in 1998. I was the youth and sports minister then.  

“He said ‘when I become the Prime Minister, you’ll be my deputy’ to which I replied, ‘It’s okay, Anwar. No need.’ 

“Then when I became the prime minister (in 2020), he visited me in my office after I gave him a courtesy call and when he came, I told him “Sorry Anwar. I’m the prime minister now,” Muhyiddin said, recalling the incident.  

Out of touch 

Muhyiddin also claimed that Anwar has lost touch with government affairs after being out of a ministerial position for over 20 years now.  

He claimed that the people and country could suffer if Anwar had no recent experience over government matters.  

“I think he has not been in the government for nearly 20 years now.  

“I have told him but he replied by saying he still will be able to become the prime minister. I’m not denying that, but it has been nearly 20 years since he was in the government but wants to return as a prime minister.  

“I think it is pretty hard because he needs to understand the base. If he doesn’t have the required expertise to manage the country, then the country faces a huge risk.  

“In such a case, the people’s issues will not be resolved as soon as possible as promised. They will keep dragging (if PH wins).  

“People cannot wait any longer as they want help now and immediately,” he said.  

Anwar had served as deputy prime minister and finance minister during Dr Mahathir Mohammad’s first 22-year stint in office but was sacked in 1998. – November 14, 2022.