Anwar and 'people's tsunami', not Dr M main factors for GE14 win

Malaysiakini:

Anwar and 'people's tsunami', not Dr M main factors for GE win - PKR Youth leader

Amid the ongoing tussle over who should be the prime minister candidate if Pakatan Harapan and its allies recapture federal power, a new debate has surfaced due to Warisan president Shafie Apdal attributing the opposition's win in the last general election to Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

"We disagree with Shafie that only Mahathir could topple Umno (and BN)," said Sabah PKR Youth information chief Razeef Rakimin.

He pointed out that under Harapan's agreement prior to the 2018 polls, Mahathir would serve as an interim prime minister before passing the leadership reins to PKR president Anwar Ibrahim.

"How could an interim prime minister become the main factor that toppled the six-decade-old BN ?” he asked in a statement today.

Furthermore, Razeef said Mahathir's party Bersatu had only won 13 of the 51 seats it contested.

"Therefore, we would like to state that Anwar is the main factor because the people wanted to see a future brought by reform...," he added.

In a media interview yesterday, Shafie had explained his reasons for supporting Mahathir instead of Anwar to become prime minister again if the opposition is able to dislodge the Perikatan Nasional government.

Among others, he cited the nonagenarian's influence among the Malay electorate, which according to him allowed Harapan to conquer Putrajaya in the 14th general election.

'Mahathir was at the right place and time'

Meanwhile, Razeef argued that Mahathir happened to be at the right place and time to ride on the public sentiment in the last election.

"We need to accept the fact that it was the people's tsunami which was the factor instead of the influence of an individual.

"Mahathir was merely at the right place and time which coincided with the people's tsunami to reject BN,” he added.

According to Razeef, Harapan made the right decision not to name Mahathir as its prime minister candidate this time around.

“As he was the cause of the collapse of the Harapan government due to his attempt to thwart the transition of power (to Anwar) and ultimately he was betrayed by those he trusted,” he added.

In his interview, Shafee had argued that if Mahathir and Anwar joined hands, their combination would be a potent force to topple the PN government.

The Sabah chief minister said Anwar could then succeed Mahathir after six months.