Malaysia's Anwar Ibrahim meets king, stakes claim to form govt

KUALA LUMPUR: Against the backdrop of an alarming 660 new Covid-19 cases Malaysia reported Monday, it was the news of the country's main opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim staking his claim as the next PM, that created ripples.
In a meeting at the Palace today, Anwar submitted the support letters from heads of various parties to the King and claimed he had more than 120 lawmakers on his side.With King Abdullah Sultan Ahmad swiftly announcing he will call the party presidents to ascertain their support, Malaysia could well be on its way to seeing Anwar at the helm of a new government in coming weeks.
Commenting on the outcome of India Malaysia relations, if he is given a chance at leadership, Anwar said, “this would definitely spell a win-win for both nations.” Anwar has, in the past, often talked of amicable resolution of issues between India and Malaysia, and has distanced himself from Mahathir’s belligerent approach on Kashmir.
Once a firebrand student leader, with sharp upward trajectory in politics, Anwar came close to being the PM several times in the past but smear campaigns around sodomy charges crushed him, even landing him in prison for nearly a decade. For hundreds of supporters of Anwar and even his detractors, today’s meeting seemed to be the most awaited one in Malaysia’s political course. The memes and jokes at the longest PM-in-waiting on social media, however couldn’t take away the significance of King giving an audience to Anwar.
Talking to TOI, Anwar’s Special Secretary, R Suresh Kumar said, “Anwar’s PKR and his alliance partners now have the support of UMNO (United Malays National Organization) which is currently part of the coalition government run by PM Muhyiddin. Today we presented UMNO chief Zahid Hamidi’s letter supporting Anwar as PM to the King, along with letters from DAP and Amanah. Everything is legal.”
At a press conference later in Kuala Lumpur, Anwar said he has presented the King with evidence of his “formidable, convincing majority among parliamentarians.” He went on to add, “I urge all parties to give space to the King to carry out his responsibilities under the Constitution.”
On how he would build a consensus and constructive politics amidst intense strife amongst various political outfits and factions, Anwar emphasised there would be no political vendetta. He also said, “We are committed to institutional reform, judicial independence and the rule of law; there is no issue of cutting deals.”