KUALA LUMPUR: THE debacle on the opposition’s prime minister-designate continues with DAP member Datuk Zaid Ibrahim criticising PKR for its “arrogance” in naming de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as prime minister-designate.
In his call for Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad instead to be reserved for the top post, Zaid also lambasted PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli for criticising comments made by the former de facto law minister.
Zaid said the designation of Anwar as future prime minister, which was made at PKR’s 12th National Congress on Sunday, was not collectively made through discussions with opposition parties in Sabah and Sarawak.
The former cabinet minister, who quit a string of opposition parties before joining DAP in February, said PKR had lacked “finesse” and disrespected 92-year-old Dr Mahathir and PPBM president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin by promoting Anwar at the congress.
“We do not even know who the parliamentarians from Sabah and Sarawak will want as prime minister.
“Shouldn’t we discuss the matter with them? We must not assume that PPBM has no wish to nominate a PM designate or that they have no allies.
“PKR is Anwar’s party, of course, but do they need to wave the placards? What is baffling is the arrogance in picking the prime minister-designate from their group when they have won nothing yet.”
Zaid said on the contrary, Dr Mahathir would fit the bill better since Anwar had not received full support from opposition supporters for the post.
“It will be better if PPBM nominates its PM designate. Not every opposition supporter wants Anwar as PM. PPBM can, for example, nominate Muhyiddin, or Dr Mahathir.
“But, for me, and many of my friends, young and old, we will nominate Dr Mahathir. We will push for Dr Mahathir as prime minister simply because he is the best for the job.”
Later, in a series of tweets, Zaid slammed Rafizi for accusing him of playing “checkered politics”.
“If Rafizi is the future of Msia (sic), then we really have no future.
“Here is the man who is scathing against anyone he disagrees with.
“Just because I don’t think Anwar can win the election for the opposition does not make my career useless. Rafizi says I have checkered political career. How? Must I go to jail to be a hero (?),” he tweeted.