[ad_1]
KUALA LUMPUR (THE STAR / ASIA NEWS NETWORK) – Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is almost within reach of your dream job if his claims of having the numbers are to be believed.
The opposition leader has secured an audience with Yang di-Pertuan Agong, and many are paralyzed by what will happen at the palace on Tuesday (October 13).
More than two weeks have passed since Anwar dropped the bomb that he has the numbers to form the next government, and his staunch supporters believe his 22-year wait for the post of prime minister is about to end.
Even those who believed that Anwar would be the standby prime minister forever are having doubts.
Mr Anwar appears immensely confident and has said that he will present documents to show that he has the support of a “strong and convincing majority” of MPs.
“Going to the palace is a serious thing. There must be something there for him to seek an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong,” said a deputy from Umno.
There are few secrets in politics, but Anwar’s numbers have to be one of the best-kept secrets yet.
Anwar’s associates in Pakatan Harapan are still in the dark, as are the leaders of his own party.
His daughter-in-law, Mrs. Nurul Izzah Anwar, is said to have stayed out of this takeover business.
Datuk Seri Dr. Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who is expected to be by her husband’s side in the palace, would probably know, but the lady is such a low-key keeper of secrets.
“Anwar has been very reserved; he keeps his cards close to his chest. This is to prevent leaks,” said Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) vice president and Tanjung Malim deputy Chang Lih Kang.
Or as Anwar’s political secretary, Farhash Wafa Salvador, who is aware of the information, said: “This has to be kept secret or else there will be poaching and intimidation.”
Farhash also deleted a list that included 121 MPs who allegedly supported Anwar that was circulating last week. The list included several Umno deputies who had previously denied supporting Anwar.
“That didn’t come from us. We have nothing to do with it. That’s the work of people with too much time on their hands,” Farhash said.
The hype has been greatest in the Chinese vernacular press, with one newspaper speculating that Anwar has 123 MPs, while another claimed he has as many as 126 MPs on his side.
If those numbers materialize, it could mean Malaysia will have its third prime minister in a year.
But those who have been analyzing the numbers say that the search for Mr. Anwar would be possible only if he is also assured of the support of Pejuang, Warisan, Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) and Umno.
The support of Tun’s group of MPs Dr. Mahathir Mohamad is dubious. There is no love lost between the two men and the expression on Dr. Mahathir’s face when commenting on Mr. Anwar’s candidacy for the post of prime minister was an expression that could have sunk a thousand ships.
Parti Warisan Sabah President Mohd Shafie Apdal was a candidate for the top job, but is a horse with a broken leg after the Sabah debacle. However, there is no reason why Warisan MPs should not support Anwar.
GPS, on the other hand, has stated that it backs Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.
Umno President Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has hinted at the support of Umno MPs, but his advisers said his boss is more interested in an early general election than in making Anwar the next prime minister.
But, as Mr Farhash has often emphasized, things are very fluid and anything can happen.
The Chinese media have been feeding what some see as an appetite among the Chinese who want Pakatan to return to power.
There is still bitterness among many Chinese over the way Pakatan was overthrown.
“I would not say that Chinese Pakatan supporters are 100 percent convinced by the numbers, but it gives the impression that they don’t mind having Anwar as prime minister,” said political analyst Khaw Veon Szu.
However, Khaw noted that while he only needs a couple of MPs for the government to lose its majority in Parliament, it will take a lot more for Anwar to form what he promises will be a strong and stable government.
The other thing is that Anwar would not be causing all these ripples if Tan Sri Muhyiddin had a solid majority in Parliament.
The Muhyiddin government has been vulnerable from day one and the only way out is to call new elections.
Democratic Action Party politician Jeff Ooi, a columnist for two major Chinese newspapers, said the change of affiliation to Parliament is common in politics around the world.
“But we have people who accuse Muhyiddin of leading a backdoor government. Yet these same people are now open to what is basically another backdoor government in the making. Where is the beginning?” Mr Ooi said.
The palace doors have been opened for Mr. Anwar and now it is his turn to present his case to the King.
Those watching from the outside should know that the King may consent to a prime minister ruling the majority in Parliament, but it is a more complicated process for a sitting prime minister to be removed from office.
Much will depend on what Mr. Anwar brings to the table on Tuesday.
The countdown has begun and political careers may end or begin depending on what happens on Tuesday.
The writer is a columnist for The Star. The Star is a member of the media partner of The Straits Times Asia News Network, an alliance of 24 media outlets.
[ad_2]
