Harapan seniors defend Anwar

Good morning, here’s what you need to know today.

Key Highlights

Harapan seniors defend Anwar

Pakatan Harapan’s lacklustre performance prompted some within the coalition to call for its chairperson Anwar Ibrahim’s resignation.

However, DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang said it was counter-productive to blame Anwar and Harapan must instead develop a coalition mindset where no single party dominates the decision-making.

He said this will avoid a repeat of the decision to allow Umno defectors to contest as Harapan candidates which DAP had objected to.

Amanah’s Sepang MP Hanipa Maidin said Anwar has a share of responsibility in Harapan’s defeat but said it was unfair to only blame one individual emphasising the coalition’s collective decision.

Meanwhile, Anwar called on the government to explain why it showed no reluctance at all in approving the request by ex-prime minister Najib Abdul Razak, who has been convicted of corruption, for an RM100 million residence.

Najib had since withdrawn the request after it became a public controversy.

He also called the government to relax standard operating procedures against Covid-19 during elections, stating that they undermine voters’ ability to make an informed choice.

HIGHLIGHTS

Malacca polls insights

BN may have come out triumphant from the Malacca polls, winning 20 out of 28 seats but a scrutiny of the finer details showed the coalition is facing new threats.

PN, in particular, was able to challenge BN in the rural Malay heartland in ways that past rivals have not been able to do.

PN, which also took away substantial votes from BN and Harapan, although not enough to win, has changed the game in mixed seats.

Harapan’s support based largely remained intact but around a third did not turn out to vote due to disappointment.

HIGHLIGHTS

Sarawak polls next

The Election Commission (EC) is set to announce the date of the Sarawak polls tomorrow.

With another state polls on the horizon, Harapan in Sarawak is still in disarray with Sarawak DAP complaining that its PKR counterpart was walking back on concluded set negotiations.

Negotiations with Parti Sarawak Bersatu, an opposition party that has absorbed a large part of PKR following an exodus but is not part of Harapan, is also not yet resolved.

De Facto Law Minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, who is from the Sarawak ruling coalition, said the standard operating procedures used in the upcoming state polls will differ from the Malacca election.

HIGHLIGHTS