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PETALING JAYA: A return to Pakatan Harapan is PPBM’s only chance of survival, according to Party Vice President Mukhriz Mahathir.
In a statement today, Muhkriz questioned whether the party could survive a contest with Umno and PAS in the upcoming general election. He also questioned whether the party’s president, Muhyiddin Yassin, would be elected again as prime minister.
In a series of questions for the leaders of Umno and Muhyiddin, he also questioned whether PPBM could survive in the Perikatan Nasional alliance with Umno, PAS and smaller BN parties.
Citing recent statements by Umno leaders, including Vice President Mohamad Hasan and Vice President Mohamed Khaled Nordin and a few others, Mukhriz said it was clear that there is no formal agreement that led to the formation of the Perikatan Nasional government.
“As everyone knows, the three parties (PPBM, Umno and PAS) represent the Malay and Muslim community. Therefore, their political base is the same, Malays, particularly those in rural areas.
“PPBM, Umno and PAS certainly intend to compete in those demographics as these parties have clashed in the same areas in GE14.”
Mukhriz questioned PPBM’s chances of winning seats also contested by Umno or PAS if there was no alliance between them.
“If PPBM is not really with Muafakat Nasional (the Umno-PAS alliance) and not with PH either, what is the logic that PPBM can win in any seat?
“Does PPBM have the capacity to defend all its parliamentary and state assembly seats that it now has?
“What about Tan Sri Muhyiddin’s own destiny? Will he continue to be elected prime minister after the 15 general elections?
Mukhriz said that various statements by PH leaders indicated that they were ready to accept PPBM again in the coalition.
Although relations between the party and PH were damaged, due to the “Sheraton Movement” that ultimately led to the fall of PH, Mukhriz said they could still be repaired.
Muhyiddin had removed PPBM from Pakatan Harapan after Dr. Mahathir Mohamad resigned as prime minister and party president.
Mukhriz said that seat assignments within PH could be negotiated as before; at a minimum, this would ensure the importance of PPBM within PH rather than the uncertainty and loss with Umno and PAS.
“For me, PPBM has only one option and that is to return to PH,” he said, adding that the two months under Perikatan Nasional have proven to be a very “bitter” experience for PPBM.
“We do not want PPBM to be manipulated and used by any party.”
He added that he was confident that the political, health and economic crises facing the country could be better handled by a coalition government as Mahathir previously proposed.
Mukhriz said that elected PPBM representatives who agreed with him should return to the right path.
