Dr M Don T Scramble To Be Pm If Party Can T Win 112 Seats

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As parties in the opposition scramble to name their prime minister candidates, former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad has dismissed the move as “pointless” without securing a simple majority in Parliament.
“I don’t quite understand why so many are scrambling to be named as prime ministerial candidates.
“A candidate will not become prime minister if his party does not win 112 seats,” said the two-time former prime minister in a statement today.
Mahathir pointed out that winning requires more than just fielding 112 candidates, as parties must also contend with rivals.
ADS“It is impossible for their party to win 112 seats. It is impossible for the prime ministerial candidate to become prime minister. There’s no need to be fighting over being named as a prime ministerial candidate,” he added.
Parliament has 222 seats and a coalition needs 112 seats to secure a simple majority to form the government.
Although he did not name anyone, Mahathir was clearly referring to Bersatu’s annual general assembly on Sept 7, which approved a motion to nominate its president Muhyiddin Yassin as the party’s candidate for the 11th prime minister.
Bersatu president Muhyiddin YassinThe motion did not receive a positive response from PAS. Its central election department deputy director-general Annuar Musa advised Bersatu to “cleanse itself first by improving its image and policies and restoring public trust.”
Annuar, a former BN secretary-general, said Bersatu should prepare a lineup of successors with “high integrity and the ability to bring the country to a new horizon.”
PAS wants someone else
Earlier, PAS spiritual leader Hashim Jasin reminded Bersatu to be more cautious in making announcements involving Perikatan Nasional, urging it to practise consensus.
At the PAS Youth assembly last Friday, its chief Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden proposed deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man as PN’s prime ministerial candidate, alongside Kedah Menteri Besar Sanusi Md Noor.
PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang (left) and his deputy Tuan Ibrahim Tuan ManPAS president Abdul Hadi Awang also opined that leaders over 70 should not become prime minister. Both Bersatu and PAS’ top leaders are above that age.
Mahathir, who has turned 100, stressed that the greater priority should be unity among the Malays to achieve electoral success.
“Only if the Malays unite can victory be achieved. Once victory is secured, then the choice of prime minister can be made.
“All those with talent can contest to be prime minister,” he added. - Mkini

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