Poser over PM pick as Pakatan launches manifesto

Initially thought to be sewn up, the choice of Anwar for the PM’s post now appears to be increasingly uncertain. — File picSHAH ALAM, Feb 25 ― A big question mark continues to hang over Pakatan Rakyat’s (PR) final choice for the prime minister’s post, despite repeated claims by top leaders at the pact’s election manifesto launch today that PKR, PAS and DAP are united in their choice for the job.

When approached on the topic of the prime minister’s post, not a single leader offered a concrete answer on whether the PR leadership has settled on Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim ― or any other candidate ― for the position.

PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu was the least evasive on the issue, even admitting to internal strife within his party over the possibility that Anwar will be made PR’s prime minister.

“It’s normal,” he said, when it was pointed out that despite PR’s claim of unity, its parties have yet to reach consensus on who should be appointed to the most important executive role in the country.

“Many views... it’s not a big problem. It’s just like how we select our (party) division chiefs. Insya’Allah, this is not a big issue,” he said.

When pressed to reveal if the pact has at least made its mind up on who should become prime minister but was withholding the decision for strategic reasons, Mohamad first said nothing has been fixed.

But when asked again later, he contradicted himself.

“Like before, before contesting in Selangor, we never mentioned (Tan Sri) Khalid Ibrahim’s name as mentri besar... but when we won, we looked at the situation and then he was made MB.

“Same thing with taking over Putrajaya... the person who is popular and commands the support will be the PM. No problem, even I could be one,” he said and laughed, but later clarified that his name was not on the list.

Mohamad’s colleagues, Kuala Selangor MP Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad and PKR deputy president Azmin Ali, were more tight-lipped on the issue.

But despite refusing to confirm if PR has picked its PM candidate, neither men denied that there were disagreements from within the pact over choosing Anwar for the post.

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