PUTRAJAYA, KOMPAS.com – Leader of the opposition Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim said he would give up his ambition to become prime minister if he failed to make it happen in early elections.
Anwar admitted that he had thought about this long and carefully. President People’s Justice Party (PKR) believes he must pave the way for a younger generation to replace him leading the opposition “Negeri Jiran”
In an exclusive interview with Malaysia Weekly Sunday (16/03/2021), Anwar remains optimistic that he will be able to reach the seat he has been dreaming of for 23 years.
Also read: Mahathir: Pakatan Harapan Fell Because Supporting Anwar Ibrahim, Not Me
The husband of former Malaysian Deputy PM Wan Azizah Wan Ismail brushed aside those who said he had failed.
“I haven’t failed. This hasn’t just happened. I accept the fact that I am still a candidate for Prime Minister Pakatan Harapan. If God allows and the people of Malaysia support me, I will continue to look after the interests of the people. “
Anwar did not deny that there were parties who did not want him to become number one in Malaysia.
“I know they have billions of ringgit. They are afraid of me. ” he said without mentioning the name.
Anwar’s Rugged Path
Anwar’s ambition to become a resident of Seri Perdana (the official residence of the Malaysian PM) is getting steeper day by day.
Also read: Anwar Ibrahim Sues the Malaysian PM in Court over the Proposed National Emergency
One of the paths he is currently taking is to overthrow the government National Alliance the leadership of the Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.
Anwar had claimed a large majority and was convinced to overthrow Muhyiddin last September 2020. But so far the 73-year-old politician’s claims have not been proven.
Anwar has become a hotbed and subject of ridicule, including by his arch political enemy Mahathir Mohamad.
Anwar’s attempts to form a coalition with the United Malays National Organization (UMNO) have so far been unsuccessful.
The idea of a new coalition met with sharp resistance from a number of senior UMNO officials who were uncomfortable working with the Democratic Action Party (DAP), a component of the Pakatan coalition that has a reputation as the Malaysian Chinese Party.
DAP officials also publicly refused to form a political alliance with UMNO, a party that was a political opponent for decades and often labeled it a corrupt party.
Also read: Anwar Ibrahim Asks the King of Malaysia to Cancel the Emergency Status, Claims to Get the Majority
Of course, another way is to win early elections which are predicted to be held as early as September.
The road to victory is not easy. The popularity of Muhyiddin’s government so far is still high and liked by Malaysians.
Anwar also seemed overwhelmed by the internal conflicts that rocked his party. In just 2 weeks, he had lost 3 PKR parliamentarians who chose to defect to Muhyiddin’s camp.
This internal conflict raises big questions about Anwar’s prestige and authority.
Also read: Mahathir to Anwar Ibrahim: I No Longer Believe in Him
Not a few are starting to ask if the former Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia is still the right figure to be the Pakatan PM candidate.
Another problem that has arisen is the splitting of the Malaysian opposition. Until now, Anwar has not communicated with Mahathir Mohamad since the political coup at the Sheraton Hotel.
Kubu Anwar still blames Mahathir as the mastermind behind the Pakatan Harapan government’s collapse, especially because of the reluctance of the 95 -year -old veteran politician to fulfill his promise to hand over power to Anwar after two years in power.
“I don’t want when I’m 95 years old, I’m still chasing the PM’s job,” Anwar quipped when ending the interview.
Also read: Failed to overthrow Malaysian PM Muhyiddin, Anwar Ibrahim’s position is shaky
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