Anwar: To take on Umno-PAS, government must grow the economy

PKR president Anwar Ibrahim today said the federal government's priority was to generate economic growth and fulfil government programmes that benefit the public.

He said that this coupled with an "aggressive" information campaign will help it take on the new Umno-PAS alliance and the racist statements being made.

"What is needed is a strong and united (Pakatan) Harapan. Its leadership must be sensitive to the problems faced by the rakyat and (fulfil) economic programmes that will help all regardless of race and religion.

"The country's priority is to generate economic growth. Any effort to betray such aims or consensus on policy will be strongly objected to," he said in a statement.

He reiterated PKR's support for Dr Mahathir Mohamad as prime minister and Harapan's agreed-upon transition plan for him (Anwar) to be the next prime minister.

Anwar's statement was believed to be in response to the flurry of reactions by Harapan component parties following the coalition's defeat during the Semenyih by-election.

Among others, PKR deputy president Mohammed Azmin Ali had urged the federal government to expedite the implementation of bumiputera-centric policies which in turn triggered negative reactions from some Harapan component parties.

Harapan will face another by-election - the seventh since taking over Putrajaya last year - on April 13 against a resurgent Umno, now officially aided by former arch-rival PAS.