Anwar confirms bid to shake up PH

KUALA LUMPUR: PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (pic) has confirmed that there are attempts to shake up the Pakatan Harapan government by Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia and a faction from PKR.

“We are waiting for further information but there were attempts to bring down the Pakatan government and form a new government involving our former friend Bersatu and a small faction from PKR that has betrayed us.

“They met the Yang di-Pertuan Agong but there is no further announcement.

“I haven’t received the full information yet, ” he said after delivering a religious talk at his Bukit Segambut residence last night.

The event was broadcast live on PKR’s Facebook page.

As the political drama unfolds, the focus will be on what will happen today following talk that Pakatan is on the brink of collapse.

Earlier, PKR supporters were called for prayers at Anwar’s residence amid talk that a new political landscape is about to take shape sans Anwar.

While it is normal for religious events such as prayers and sermons to be held at Anwar’s residence on Sunday nights, the sombreness of yesterday’s event was palpable.

A long-time PKR supporter, who holds a post in a division in Subang Jaya, said he was there to show support for Anwar.

“They are trying to get the numbers on their side. They’re betraying the people’s trust and the promise made to Anwar. I really feel pity for him, ” said the man, one of the few non-Muslims present at the house.

Supporters started gathering at Anwar’s house after 5pm yesterday for the religious event (majlis zikir), which was advertised on the PKR Facebook page.

“They plan, God also plans. And verily God is the best of all planners. To all friends and comrades in the struggle, let us all gather at Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s house in Segambut starting 6pm today.

“We ask for prayers, zikir and selawat Nuril Anwar for protection from all evil and for all matters to be eased, ” said the caption accompanying the photo announcing the majlis zikir.

Yesterday evening before the event, PKR MPs Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, Datuk Abdullah Sani Abdul Hamid, Fahmi Fadzil and Wong Chen were among those sighted at the premises.

As at press time, both Anwar and his wife, PKR adviser Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, were said to be in the house.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng was at his office at the Treasury despite it being a Sunday.

It was said that he had been there since 3pm and as at 7.40pm, his car was still around. There were no cars of other leaders at the building besides Lim’s official vehicle.

DAP is expected to hold an emergency meeting on the latest political development at the party headquarters here today.

After PKR, which has 50 seats in Parliament, DAP has the next highest number, at 42.