IN the past 24 hours, the Pakatan Harapan government appeared to unravel as several ministers dined with opposition MPs amid speculation of a new political pact.

Top guns from Bersatu, the Mohamed Azmin Ali faction in PKR, and Warisan mingled with foes from Umno, PAS and a Sarawak coalition in the Sheraton Hotel, Petaling Jaya, hours after six leaders from these parties met the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in a rare audience. 

Umno secretary-general Annuar Musa hinted at the dinner that the PH government was as good as dead, saying they were waiting for Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad to give the signal. 

Dr Mahathir earlier chaired a Bersatu supreme council meeting but did not speak to the media, quelling talk of a new government this weekend. 

But his designated successor, Anwar Ibrahim, confirmed that Bersatu and a cohort from his party had betrayed PH to work with Umno, PAS to start a backdoor government.

He did not identify them but ministers from Bersatu such as Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, Entrepreneuer Development Minister Mohd Redzuan Yusof and Deputy Foreign Minister Marzuki Yahya were seen entering the ballroom where the dinner was held.

Perak Menteri Besar Ahmad Faizal Azumu was also there and so were Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Sembrong MP Hishamuddin Hussein and Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin.

PAS was represented by its leaders Nik Muhammad Zawawi Salleh, Abdul Hadi Awang, Nik Mohamad Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz and Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man.

The event arrived after weeks of intense speculation that the PM will form a new government with Barisan Nasional, PAS, Warisan, Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) and a small faction from PKR.

Simple majority

A simple majority of 112 of the 222 parliament  seats is required to form a government.

Dr Mahathir’s Bersatu has 26 seats, Umno, 39, MCA, two and MIC, one.

PAS and GPS each has 18 seats in the Dewan Rakyat.

PKR president Anwar did not have details about any new government when he spoke to the media yesterday. 

He and his wife Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail have been granted an audience with the king later today.

MIC president SA Vigneswaran downplayed the gathering at the hotel, denying any knowledge about a new government.

However, he said Azmin was quitting his party while Bersatu may also leave Pakatan Harapan.

“As far as I know today, Azmin has left PKR and there is also also the possibility of Bersatu leaving PH.

Reformasi continues

Azmin said the fight for reform will continue.

“God willing, we will continue the fight and agenda for reformation and to develop the nation and bring prosperity to all Malaysians,” he told reporters after the dinner.

The gathering at the hotel in Petaling Jaya was the culmination of long day that ended with more questions than answers. – February 24, 2020.