Melaka polls: Only reasonable to thank four reps who brought 'change', says Anwar

PETALING JAYA: The four assemblymen who triggered the collapse of the Melaka state government had brought change to the state and it is only reasonable to thank the quartet, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

"People asked why we invited them? We invited them because they made the move to bring about change in Melaka and during that time, Melaka Pakatan Harapan was in support.

"I think it is reasonable for us to thank them. But, elections are a different matter," said the PKR president to reporters at an auditorium in Port Dickson on Wednesday (Oct 20).

Asked if the matter will be further discussed in a 4.30pm Pakatan meeting at PKR's headquarters on Wednesday (Oct 20), Anwar nodded and said yes.

Anwar was referring to Datuk Seri Idris Haron (Sungai Udang), Datuk Norhizam Hassan Baktee (Pengkalan Batu), Datuk Nor Azman Hassan (Telok Mas), and Azman Hassan (Pantai Kundor), who were invited to a pre-election event at Hotel Muzaffar organised by PKR Melaka on Monday (Oct 18) night.

The four were allegedly given a warm welcome during the event, which did not augur well with DAP who had openly declared that it would object against Norhizam contesting under Pakatan's banner.

Commenting on DAP's objection, Anwar merely said it will be discussed in the afternoon meeting later on Wednesday at PKR's headquarters in Merchant Square.

"What was mentioned was that a leader couldn’t be accepted by some. It's okay, we will discuss it this evening," he added.

Anwar also said Pakatan's preparations for the Melaka state elections on Nov 20 will be further discussed in the evening meeting.

In March 2020, Norhizam and Rembia assemblymen Datuk Muhammad Jailani Khamis had defected from Pakatan, causing the collapse of the state government then.

Earlier on Tuesday (Oct 19), Norhizam had said that he will defend his seat as a PKR candidate under the Pakatan coalition, claiming that the party's top leadership have accepted him.

However, in a press conference earlier, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said the coalition would not accept Norhizam back as a member.

Melaka state polls will be held on Nov 20 and nomination day will be on Nov 8.