PETALING JAYA: The ball now appears to be in PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s court to appease and convince his supporters to accept the decision on leadership transition made by the Pakatan Harapan presidential council.
Political analyst Prof Dr Sivamurugan Pandian said the meeting on Friday night was meant to decide on an actual date for the handing over of power from Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to Anwar – but that it was not the case.
Sivamurugan said the current outcome was favourable to those supporting Dr Mahathir to stay on for the full term as the premier.
However, those pushing for Anwar to become the eighth prime minister as soon as May this year will find it difficult to accept, he added.
“(They) might retaliate emotionally. That could worsen the political landscape unless Anwar manages to convince them to accept Friday’s decision.
“Within nine months, many events can take place and if threats and the deficit in trust continues within the coalition, besides infighting, that may lead to something bigger than just a transition.
“If the infighting continues and factions within the Pakatan coalition members expand, we might see the collapse of the ruling government.
“For example, if Bersatu (Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia) leaves and so does the faction within PKR, that will be the end of Pakatan.
“That could also be the reason why Anwar didn’t push hard for a date on Friday,” said the political analyst from Universiti Sains Malaysia.
Sivamurugan said Anwar has to convince his supporters to accept the decision as he is currently facing a sitting prime minister who enjoys the majority of the Lower House in Parliament.
“Malaysia’s politics is always about numbers,” he said.
Another political analyst, Prof Dr Nik Ahmad Kamal Nik Mahmod, said the decision made on Friday could help stabilise the transition of power, adding that people will be looking forward to the scenario post-Apec (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation).
However, Nik Ahmad said Dr Mahathir’s statement seemed to raise more “questions than answers” as it contains some uncertainty.
“The uncertainty may not be good for the government because within the ruling coalition, there appears to be dissatisfaction with regard to the handover date and it may be the cause for further rifts within the coalition.
“Many of Anwar’s supporters would be happy (but) many would also be cautious of the situation.
“But Anwar should give priority to the stability of the government of the day and he would be working hard to ensure that all in PKR and the Pakatan coalition accept the decision made.
“For ordinary rakyat like us, what we want to see is that there is a stable, strong and equitable government.
“I think the rakyat also want to see what Dr Mahathir promised after the 14th General Election, and that the handover of the prime minister’s post is carried out without jeopardising the stability of the government,” he added.
Nik Ahmad said what is more vital is for everyone in Pakatan to accept what was decided on Friday.
“Let the matter be resolved by Dr Mahathir and Anwar,” he added.
Political analyst Prof Dr Sivamurugan Pandian said the meeting on Friday night was meant to decide on an actual date for the handing over of power from Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to Anwar – but that it was not the case.
Sivamurugan said the current outcome was favourable to those supporting Dr Mahathir to stay on for the full term as the premier.
However, those pushing for Anwar to become the eighth prime minister as soon as May this year will find it difficult to accept, he added.
“(They) might retaliate emotionally. That could worsen the political landscape unless Anwar manages to convince them to accept Friday’s decision.
“Within nine months, many events can take place and if threats and the deficit in trust continues within the coalition, besides infighting, that may lead to something bigger than just a transition.
“If the infighting continues and factions within the Pakatan coalition members expand, we might see the collapse of the ruling government.
“For example, if Bersatu (Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia) leaves and so does the faction within PKR, that will be the end of Pakatan.
“That could also be the reason why Anwar didn’t push hard for a date on Friday,” said the political analyst from Universiti Sains Malaysia.
Sivamurugan said Anwar has to convince his supporters to accept the decision as he is currently facing a sitting prime minister who enjoys the majority of the Lower House in Parliament.
“Malaysia’s politics is always about numbers,” he said.
Another political analyst, Prof Dr Nik Ahmad Kamal Nik Mahmod, said the decision made on Friday could help stabilise the transition of power, adding that people will be looking forward to the scenario post-Apec (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation).
However, Nik Ahmad said Dr Mahathir’s statement seemed to raise more “questions than answers” as it contains some uncertainty.
“The uncertainty may not be good for the government because within the ruling coalition, there appears to be dissatisfaction with regard to the handover date and it may be the cause for further rifts within the coalition.
“Many of Anwar’s supporters would be happy (but) many would also be cautious of the situation.
“But Anwar should give priority to the stability of the government of the day and he would be working hard to ensure that all in PKR and the Pakatan coalition accept the decision made.
“For ordinary rakyat like us, what we want to see is that there is a stable, strong and equitable government.
“I think the rakyat also want to see what Dr Mahathir promised after the 14th General Election, and that the handover of the prime minister’s post is carried out without jeopardising the stability of the government,” he added.
Nik Ahmad said what is more vital is for everyone in Pakatan to accept what was decided on Friday.
“Let the matter be resolved by Dr Mahathir and Anwar,” he added.
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