AN Umno leader today questioned why no DAP leader occupies any of the top three positions in Pakatan Harapan’s new line-up.

Umno treasurer-general Salleh Said Keruak pointed out that DAP holds the highest number of lawmakers in the opposition coalition, questioning if the Chinese-majority party was being sidelined.

Salleh, who is also the communications and multimedia minister, was commenting on the new PH leadership line-up announced early today.

Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his one-time deputy, Anwar Ibrahim, were named as chairman and de facto leader respectively, while PKR president Dr Wan Azizal Wan Ismail is president of the opposition coalition.

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin and Amanah president Mohamad Sabu were named deputy presidents. DAP, PKR, Amanah and Bersatu make up the opposition coalition.

“Is DAP being sidelined or was the move intended so that this coalition is perceived to be dominated by the Malays?” Salleh asked in a blog post today.

Salleh also raised questions as to which of the top three posts, namely – adviser, chairman, and president – has the final say in terms of leadership. 

“Just as they have announced their leadership line-up, the opposition began offering political promises that they say they will fulfil within 100 days of coming to power.

“Instead of continually making promises, the opposition should first name its candidate for prime minister.

“It’s odd when the chairman said, ‘We declare the eighth prime minister first. The seventh we will decide later’,” Salleh said, commenting on Dr Mahathir’s statement at the press conference earlier today. 

The coalition’s new logo and flag were also unveiled after yesterday’s four-hour meeting at the PKR headquarters in Petaling Jaya. – July 14, 2017.