Anwar leads race to be Opposition’s pick for PM, but die likely already cast

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Anwar leads race to be Opposition’s pick for PM, but die likely already cast in Ismail Sabri’s favour

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 18 — Pakatan Harapan (PH) and other Opposition parties would fully back PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to be the next prime minister if he could get rival lawmakers to support his bid, sources said.


The sources and insiders privy to the negotiations confirmed to Malay Mail that Anwar currently has 105 federal lawmakers on his side, not enough for a simple majority.

A simple majority would usually be 111 in the 220-seat Parliament but was now 110 due to two vacancies that could not be filled due to the pandemic. Securing 111 MPs would, however, put the matter beyond doubt.

Warisan Youth’s chief and Sepanggar MP Datuk Azis Jamman revealed yesterday that his party’s support for Anwar was conditional on the latter being able to secure the additional lawmakers needed.

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KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 17 — Barisan Nasional and Umno lawmakers have all decided to support Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob for his bid to be the next prime minister.

The lawmakers decided this after an Umno supreme council meeting and another among BN MPs tonight.

Padang Besar MP Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin confirmed the unanimous decision when met following the later meeting.

“The candidate is clean and from Umno. It was unanimous.

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