Annuar: It’s DAP ploy to divide Malays

KUALA LUMPUR: The protracted debate within the opposition on who should be picked as prime minister-designate is simply a ploy by DAP to divide and rule the Malays in the pact.

And, it is the only tactic used by DAP to widen the divide to dominate the Pakatan Harapan pact, Umno information chief Tan Sri Annuar Musa said yesterday.

“This is a strategy outlined by DAP. It is a tactic to maximise disunity among the Malays.

“In the beginning, DAP said it wanted (PKR de facto leader) Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to be the prime minister, knowing well that he is behind bars for sodomy.

“Later, DAP proposed Anwar’s wife (PKR president) Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, since the latter is not a leader but someone who takes instructions from her husband,” Annuar said on the sidelines of the Umno general assembly.

When it comes to Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Annuar said DAP had been fielding the former prime minister on the frontlines to distract public attention from party adviser Lim Kit Siang.

“When all the (Malay-based) parties are divided and leads to a weakened PKR, PAN and Dr Mahathir (with PPBM), then DAP can continue to dominate the opposition pact.

“At the end of the day, Lim will be the mastermind of everything.”

Annuar said through the same strategy, PKR would lend its support following DAP’s recognition of Anwar as prime ministerial candidate, while Dr Mahathir’s name would result in PPBM continuing its attempts to break Malay support from Umno.

It was reported recently that DAP had informally proposed Dr Mahathir be the prime minister and Dr Wan Azizah as his deputy.

However, DAP national organising secretary Anthony Loke Siew Fook said on Thursday his party was sticking with Anwar as the prime minister candidate.

Loke said Anwar was expected to be released after June next year, based on a report which claimed Anwar had been granted one-third remission.

“So if Pakatan takes power, our priority is to have him pardoned. Then he should be able to contest (in a by-election).”

Nevertheless, former DAP vicechairman Tunku Abdul Aziz Tunku Ibrahim questioned the political nature behind the intention to seek a pardon for Anwar. “What is so special about him? “If you are seeking a pardon, there are certain criteria that must be met.

“And you are seeking to have him pardoned just because you want him to contest?

“I think DAP is just playing a game.

“They are flying a kite and paying lip service.”