Anwar reminds PM not to hold GE15 because of threats

KUALA LUMPUR: Parliamentary opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has reminded Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob not to hold the 15th General Election (GE15) because of threats from certain quarters.

He said it was inappropriate for the Prime Minister to act recklessly to return the people’s mandate, due to the interests of certain parties, including to free certain parties from court cases.

“The Prime Minister cannot set the date of the election based on threats from small parties, their interest in being freed from court cases and so on.

“We know the election (is getting closer). In Pakatan Harapan (PH) too, we are already preparing and moving our election machinery and negotiating (seats),” he said.

He told reporters this after being a panelist at the Young People Stage Interaction Townhall Session at the Universiti Malaysia Alumni Centre (PAUM) here today.

Anwar expects GE15 to be held at the end of October or early November, the earliest, which is after Budget 2023 is tabled in Dewan Rakyat on Oct 7.

On the Pakatan Harapan (PH) seat distribution, Anwar who is also the PH Chairman, explained that by right the party which had won seats in the 2018 general election contest the seats.

He said seat negotiations between parties in PH have been carried out and will be announced in the near future.

Asked if the PH is ready to offer seats it won to the Malaysian United Democratic Alliance Party (MUDA) if the party is accepted into its coalition, Anwar said parties usually keep the seats that it had won in the previous polls.

On the refusal of Angkatan Muda Keadilan (AMK) over MUDA’s desire to join PH, Anwar said all views will be accepted and will be decided by the PH Presidential Council.

“We consider everyone’s point of view. Even if there is a reason, we have to discuss carefully the implications. Whoever is with PH, the key principle must be accepted. There are parameters that must be adopted. But we must give space for a good discussion,” he said.

Commenting on the 2023 Budget, Anwar, who is also the Port Dickson Member of Parliament said PH leaders are discussing with the government to examine the initiatives and programmes that will be announced in the budget.

“We stand by our position, the budget must be responsible and consider the people’s problems and structural changes must take place,” he said.

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