PM Anwar: DPM post to go to stronger component parties and GPS is one of them

Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Photo from Anwar Ibrahim's Facebook page.

KUCHING, Nov 24: There is a high possibility that Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) will get a Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) post under the newly formed unity government.

Newly appointed 10th Prime Minister Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the post of DPM will be from Pakatan Harapan (PH) and the candidate would usually come from other stronger component coalitions.

“At this moment (this) is Barisan Nasional (BN), as well as Sabah or Sarawak.

“And the strongest components from Sabah and Sarawak is GPS and that will be taken into consideration,” he said in his first press conference as PM held at Sungai Long Club House in Selangor which was streamed live on social media tonight.

On a question of his legitimacy to form the government following a challenge thrown by Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin who had insisted he had the numbers, Anwar said he will put himself before a vote of confidence on the first day the new Parliament sits on Dec 19.

“Tan Sri Muhyiddin has thrown a challenge to test our strength which he does not need to do so. I have in fact asked PH to propose a vote of confidence on the first day of Parliament.

“So, for me, there is no reason to worry about the legitimacy that is there,” he said.

Anwar emphasised that the unity government is currently made up of the biggest coalitions from Peninsular Malaysia including the relatively big Barisan Nasional (BN) apart from PH itself as well as Sabah and Sarawak.

“We have crossed 130 or almost 140 (seats). I don’t think there will be a problem with stability.

“But my belief is to make sure and strengthen not just a coalition, but national unity which transcends beyond a coalition,” he added. — DayakDaily