Stressing that such a proposal was still only at the idea stage, PPBM chief strategist Rais Hussin said the two were also realistic choices to lead the opposition against the ruling Barisan Nasional government.
“PPBM may be, like what many would say, ‘a new kid on the block’ with a very, very experienced leadership. But just the combination of Mahathir and Muhyiddin can be a subject of voluminous study,” Rais told the news portal.
On June 9, it was reported that PPBM made the proposal for Mahathir and Muhyiddin to be chairman and president, respectively.
However, there was all-round criticism for the move which is part of the effort to enable Pakatan Harapan to be registered as an official pact, under one logo, by the Registrar of Societies (RoS).
Pakatan Harapan comprises its founding components – PKR, DAP and Amanah – with PPBM joining the pact in March. Without being registered as one coalition party, the four components will have to compete in GE14 with their respective logos.
Last Saturday, de facto PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim released a statement in which he said he had decided not to offer himself as Pakatan Harapan’s prime ministerial candidate for GE14, citing friction over the issue within the opposition coalition.
He had also called for a single-minded focus on GE14 over all other issues.
Meanwhile, justifying PPBM’s growing strength, Rais said the party had gained tens of thousands of new members since it was formed last year.
“Thousands others are joining us weekly and in some places, almost daily. Our numbers are growing and we have set up more than 150 divisions with many more branches in each divisions. It is noteworthy to mention that almost half of the members are youths,” Rais was quoted as saying by MMO.
He added that discussions surrounding the line-up for the leadership of the opposition pact was still ongoing.
Calling for the opposition to face the realities on the ground, Rais said Pakatan Harapan must be led by politicians whom voters can be confident will win GE14.
“Mahathir has led five general elections and won with two-thirds majority every time. He still has the fire in the belly to do it with added vigour, almost on steroids, given the current state of affairs.
“Muhyiddin is a technocrat, with more than 40 years experience in politics managing state, different ministries and also managing general elections and many, many by-elections, certainly rich in experience,” Rais told MMO, justifying the PPBM control of the top two positions in the coalition.
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