Twentytwo13

‘I have the numbers’ claim will be answered by 2pm, hopefully

Malaysian political parties and leaders have been kept busy meeting and negotiating their terms in the lead up to the 2pm deadline given by Istana Negara for them to present their respective alliances and name their prime minister candidate.

This comes after Malaysia witnessed a hung parliament – a first in the country’s political history.

This morning, Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders met at the Seri Pacific Hotel in Kuala Lumpur. The leaders included PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Parti Amanah Negara president Mohamad Sabu, MCA president Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke, and PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli.

A picture of the meeting was uploaded by PKR’s Lembah Pantai MP, Fahmi Fadzil on Twitter (main image).

At press time, details of the negotiations remain unknown.

Here’s what several leaders have said since the results of GE15 were announced.

PH chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim 
“We have managed to get the support of MPs to form a simple majority, subject to the normal processes. We have all the documents ready. We will first submit (the documents) to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.”

BN chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi
“BN MPs must follow the coalition’s Supreme Council’s decision on the formation of a government.

A decision will be made after negotiations with other parties. We have set up a committee to hold talks. We seek an extension (from Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Azhar Azizan Harun) to inform of the coalition’s decision on the formation of a government.

Any (other) documents (especially statutory declarations) signed by BN MPs naming a prime minister candidate will be invalid as this would be against the condition set by the party and statutory declarations signed by them earlier (with BN).”

Perikatan Nasional chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin
“The chairman of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) has expressed the preparedness of GPS MPs to give me the support and trust for me to be appointed as 10th prime minister. I have also met with Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, chairman of Parti Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) who has expressed his support and trust for me to be PM.

There are also other MPs that have given the same commitment. I am confident I will have enough support to enable me to be appointed PM by the Agong.”

Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg
“We will support a coalition with Perikatan Nasional, BN and GRS to form the new federal government.”

DAP stalwart Lim Kit Siang
“Malaysia is in the new era of coalition politics, and I advocate a coalition government of PH (82 MPs), Perikatan Nasional (73 MPs) and the Borneo Bloc (35 MPs) under Anwar Ibrahim as prime minister to form a coalition with the specific aim to reverse Malaysia’s decline, to make Malaysia a great, world-class nation, and to fight corruption.

This ‘Make Malaysia Great Again’ coalition will have 190 Members of Parliament, which is more than two-thirds of the 222 parliamentary seats, and can amend the Malaysian Constitution to restore Sarawak and Sabah their rights, according to the Malaysia Agreement 1963.”

Former PKR vice-president Tian Chua
“Hear the people’s voice. No to kleptocrats who destroyed the country.

For the nation’s future, the leaders of both coalitions should put aside ego and prejudices. PH and Perikatan Nasional should work out their differences and secure a stable government for all Malaysians. Perikatan Nasional might gather enough numbers to form a government.

However, the representation of a large segment of Malaysian population is excluded … this will not create a stable political atmosphere. This is not a healthy start.”

Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi
“The president (Ahmad Zahid) as reported by the media is now busy negotiating with PH. The Umno and BN president should not be representing the party to negotiate with any quarters.

He cannot carry the party’s mandate without the agreement from Umno and BN’s Supreme Council.

Any decision made by the president without obtaining the consent is invalid and is against the party (Umno’s) constitution. Umno’s previous decision is to not work with Anwar and DAP.”

Tapah MP, MIC deputy-president Datuk Seri M. Saravanan
“We just want a stable government.”

Sembrong MP Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein
“As I said before, I reject working with Pakatan Harapan. I would rather be sacked by the party than change my mind.

No Anwar, No DAP. Those who think they have power to sack me from my beliefs, go ahead.”