Amanah key ingredient in Pakatan seat negotiations, says Dr Mahathir

Chan Kok Leong Chan Kok Leong Updated 8 years ago · Published on 7 Jan 2018 5:33PM · 1 Comments

Bersatu chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad says finalising the seats early is Pakatan Harapan's biggest success and will give leaders time to soothe certain feelings among supporters who did not take part in the negotiations. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Najjua Zulkefli, January 7, 2018.

AMANAH was the key to Pakatan’s success in its seat negotiations, said Bersatu chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The former prime minister said it was not an easy feat as everyone wanted the most number of seats for their parties.

“But Amanah was magnanimous and in the end they were the ones who helped ensure the seat negotiations was a success,” said Dr Mahathir, after it was announced that he was Pakatan’s candidate for prime minister should it win the 14th general election.

It was announced today that Bersatu was given 52 seats in Peninsular Malaysia while PKR got 51, DAP (35) and Amanah (27).

Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin making a speech at the convention today. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, January 7, 2018.

As a result of the negotiations, Johor Amanah decided to boycott the convention yesterday.

“When I was prime minister I usually said (of negotiations) that the best result is when everyone is unsatisfied. If anyone is satisfied, that means we have been unfair.

“It’s impossible for us to have everyone satisfied. Hence, everyone must be dissatisfied.

“And that’s why none of the Pakatan parties are happy. Bersatu is unhappy too. We had hoped for more and we had to cut and cut, and in the end we got a few seats,” said the 92-year-old during PH’s second convention in Shah Alam today.

He said it was the same for PKR, one of the oldest parties in Pakatan.

“But it too did not get all they wanted. Same with DAP but it was easier. They only wanted the seats they could win. If they could get more, they would be happier.

“This is how our party (Pakatan) has begun. It’s not easy for parties in a coalition but we have made it work.

“Finalising the seats early will give us time to soothe certain feelings among our supporters who did not take part in the negotiations.

“It’s the biggest success of the Pakatan. I trust it was also hard in the old PR to divide the seats.

“But I am confident with this early decision. We will have time to explain it to our supporters.” – January 7, 2018.

Amanah president Mohamad Sabu addressing the crowd at Pakatan's 2018 Convention in Shah Alam today. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, January 7, 2018.

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Comments

  • AMANAH power IS THE MEASURE of how far away REFORM IS IN THIS COUNTRY. Amanah is suppose to be the ALTERNATIVE TO PAS - the question of Religion and State in this country. The fact they are playing such a small role WHILE PAS has their hands in the seat of power in Putrajaya, tells you how THE MOST CRITICAL ISSUE is being avoided because frankly THEY DO NOT HAVE THE ANSWER.

    THAT is really what is the problem with the issue Reform in this country more than anything else. PPNM and Mahathir is being tasked with tackling PAS NOT AMANAH..

    Posted 8 years ago by Bigjoe Lam · Reply