KUALA LUMPUR: Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Abdul Rahman Dahlan has slammed a proposal for PPBM chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad to be named as Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) interim prime minister, saying it marks a “sad day” for the opposition.
“It’s a sad day for PH because they have been in the political arena for so long, but they couldn’t find a younger candidate or fresh blood to become the leader of Malaysia,” he said, adding that it was a sad day for Malaysia as well.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Umno delegates pre-council meeting at PWTC here today, he added that the decision was a “180 degree turn” for PH.
“It’s sad and actually surprising, and I do not think it will go down well with the people.”
He was responding to reports that Mahathir and PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail would be named as interim prime minister and deputy prime minister if PH wins the next general election.
The PH member parties – PKR, DAP, Amanah and PPBM – had discussed the matter during a retreat last Sunday.
DAP, Amanah and PPBM were reported to have agreed to the proposal, but PKR put off a final decision pending consultation with Anwar Ibrahim, who is serving a prison sentence.