SHAH ALAM: Pakatan Harapan women leaders have rejected the appointment of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad as the opposition’s prime ministerial candidate.
Describing the decision as hastily-made, Melaka Pakatan Harapan women’s wing chief Mahani Masban said there was still time for the matter to be reviewed by Pakatan top leadership.
She said instead of nominating old leaders, a younger candidate would have been more suitable based on the current political landscape.
"Everything started during the 'reformasi' movement. Beginning from 1998, everything that had happened to (PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri) Anwar (Ibrahim) as the deputy prime minister, should be taken into account into any decision to be made later.
"Moreover, Anwar is still in jail," Mahani said when met after Dr Mahathir, who is both Pakatan and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia chairman, was announced as the candidate for the post of prime minister during Pakatan convention today.
PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail has been designated the deputy prime minister candidate.
However, Mahani called for calm among party members and accept the "bitter" outcome and hoped for a change in the decision soon.
Perlis PKR women’s chief Fauziah Hamzah said Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Azmin Ali should have been made the prime ministerial candidate.
She said Azmin was more qualified based on his track record in administering Selangor.
"Azmin has implemented various programmes for youths and women. He can be a great prime minister.
"I had hoped for a young leader to be made prime minister. This is a request from (PKR) women (wing)," Fauziah said.
Reformasi 98 activist Shafiq Ali expressed his lack of confidence in Dr Mahathir's leadership as a possible prime minister, and described him as "someone who does not keep his promises".
"I do not accept the announcement (of Dr Mahathir as prime minister candidate), because he does not keep his words.
“Yes, there is a deal to make him the prime minister, but if he still wants to make this country his own property, I just do not know (what will happen)."
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