PKR president Anwar Ibrahim today refused to be drawn into claims by PAS that there is a plot within Pakatan Harapan against Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Anwar said it was difficult to verify PAS’ claim as the party allows lying to serves its interest.

He said the issue had never been raised in his communications with Dr Mahathir, who is prime minister and PH chairman, and other PH parties.

“PAS permits lying. So, we do not know if their position is a lie or the truth. I wouldn’t know, you have to ask them,” he told journalists in Shah Alam today.

He said PAS was trying to distract the public from claims that it had received RM90 million from Umno before the last general election.

“I don’t want to entertain it, as in my communications with the prime minister, it was never raised nor was it raised by parties in PH.

“This is only a narrative by PAS to evade investigation on the RM90 million,” he said.

Yesterday, PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan said his party only promised to support Dr Mahathir if there is a no-confidence vote against him in Parliament.

He said the party’s position in a vote of no confidence against the prime minister was among several issues discussed in a closed-door meeting with Dr Mahathir last Friday.

He also said PAS would not be back PH in the Semenyih by-election.

“The three of us – Abdul Hadi Awang, Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, and I  – signed a letter which said we will back Dr Mahathir Mohamad should a vote of no confidence take place in Parliament.

“It has nothing to do with the Semenyih by-election,” Takiyuddin said, after a meeting with Umno at the Barisan Nasional operation room in Semenyih last night.

There is an agreement between PH parties that Anwar will replace Dr Mahathir as prime minister. Although no timeline has been set for the handover, Dr Mahathir has said he would step down two years after taking power last year.

Anwar also dismissed claims on social media that PKR deputy president Mohamad Azmin Ali and vice-president Zuraida Kamaruddin are to be sacked from the party.

“I’ve not heard, neither is this relevant to me. This is just an attempt by some to distract our attention from our main focus.

“Our main problem in this country now, which must be handled by the leadership and all parties is the economy.

“The people are airing their grievances over price hikes and we want a clear policy to assist them. I think the entire government machinery and PH parties must be geared towards this and assist the government in resolving this major problem,” he said. – February 18, 2019.

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