A POLITICAL analyst sees Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s latest move as a way to get back into the limelight, regain his dominant role in the Opposition, and show that he still has political clout.
The PKR-cum-Pakatan Harapan chief has become the latest talking point following his announcement on Wednesday that he has a strong majority support in Parliament to form the next government.
Political commentator Phoon Wing Keong said hitherto, there were no strong indications that Anwar had garnered enough support to form a new government or any hint that Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s government was going to fall any time soon.
He noted neither DAP, Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) nor any other parties that might back Anwar were at his media conference.
Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) has also said it is solidly behind Muhyiddin, so the claim by Anwar, who is Port Dickson MP, does not add up, Phoon told Oriental Daily News in a report published yesterday.
While developments over the next few days will tell whether Anwar has the numbers, his aim is to reassert his political influence ahead of the Sabah state election, Phoon said.
Should Warisan Plus win the state polls, Parti Warisan Sabah president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal will get a boost as PH’s candidate for premiership and put Anwar in an awkward situation, he said.
Should Mohd Shafie be given a new mandate in Sabah, Anwar will come under more pressure within PH, given that DAP had once indicated that it could support the Sabahan as a candidate for the prime minister’s post, he said, adding that Anwar has to prove he still has the influence to remain in charge and prevent Mohd Shafie from stealing the thunder from him.
