KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has reiterated that the stability of the unity government remains unaffected by PAS’ recent landslide win at the Kemaman by-elections, nor claims that government MPs will jump ship to the opposition.
Instead, Anwar said the Perikatan Nasional (PN) component’s members’ supposed aspirations of putting forth a prime minister candidate after securing the majority of votes in one parliamentary constituency is a mere political tactic that he will not entertain.
“Yes, we lose in some places and win in some, but I don’t think it’s a big issue that will change the political strength held by the unity government. To say that by winning one area, you can go to Putrajaya… it just gives PAS supporters momentary relief.
“The government’s strength in Parliament is evident and cannot be threatened. There might be some defections, whether 50 or 60, go ahead, I can’t stop them, but based on our current political (climate), it’s just a delusion (igauan),” the prime minister said during a television interview with TV3, commemorating the Madani government’s first anniversary.
Anwar, who is also Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman, said that his administration will maintain its focus on developing the nation and its economy to ensure the betterment of the people’s welfare.
“We must save our country from politicians swindling money to enrich themselves and their family members. This isn’t a party issue; all parties are involved in this in some way or another.
“I don’t care which party it is, none should allow such practices to happen,” Anwar said, adding that the government will work on improving its dissemination of information regarding policies and programs for the people.
PAS’ Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, who is also Terengganu Menteri Besar, secured a victory in the Kemaman by-election on December 2 by beating Barisan Nasional’s (BN) candidate Tan Sri Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor by a majority of 37,220 votes.
Samsuri’s majority was about 10,000 votes more than the majority by which the PAS candidate in the 15th general election (GE15) won the seat, and it also exceeded the party’s targeted 30,000 vote majority.
The by-election was held after PAS’ GE15 victory was nullified by the Election Court, which found elements of corruption during that election.
Following Samsuri’s win, PAS supporters have been suggesting on social media that he should be the party’s candidate to be the country’s 11th prime minister in the next general election, to be held by 2027.
Previously, PN linchpin Bersatu Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Mohd Redzuan Md Yusof claimed that more than 10 government MPs will switch their support to the opposition coalition to form a new government.
His allegation came after five Bersatu MPs publicly declared they were backing Anwar’s administration. All five lawmakers cited the welfare of their constituents as their reason for supporting the prime minister. – December 6, 2023