Anwar affirms offered PM post if he abandoned allies, worked with Umno

PKR president Anwar Ibrahim affirmed a claim that he was offered the prime minister's post in exchange for accepting Umno en bloc.

"Yes," he tweeted in response to an article quoting PKR's Setiawangsa MP Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad on this matter.

In a Facebook posting this morning, Nik Nazmi claimed the offer was made before last week's political crisis.

"(Anwar) revealed that prior to the crisis there was an offer for him to become prime minister with the condition that he abandons our political allies in Pakatan Harapan and accept leaders from Umno en bloc, including those facing corruption charges.

"Anwar naturally refused to betray the mandate of the people simply for the sake of obtaining the premiership," he wrote.

Nik Nazmi (photo) did not provide further details.

Umno secretary-general Annuar Musa, however, said he had no knowledge of the matter when quizzed at a press conference today.

"When was that (offer made to Anwar)? I can't comment on speculation, rumours. If there are facts I will speak. It is not within my knowledge, Annuar said.

Last week, Anwar's rival Azmin Ali staged a coup attempt with Bersatu, Umno, and PAS to form a government without PKR, Amanah and DAP.

This was justified as an attempt to thwart efforts to force then-prime minister, Dr Mahathir Mohamad, to resign and make way for Anwar.

However, Mahathir resigned himself, saying he did not want to work with Umno en bloc.

Mahathir and Anwar eventually joined forces at the eleventh hour, but not in time to prevent Muhyiddin Yassin from being sworn-in as the prime minister of a Bersatu, Umno, PAS coalition - Perikatan Nasional (PN) - with additional support from GPS.

Meanwhile, sources told Malaysiakini that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong has instructed Muhyiddin to form a cabinet which is inclusive.

However, one source said MCA is still debating on whether to be part of the current administration for fear of being perceived as having returned to power through the backdoor.

MCA has two MPs, party president Wee Ka Siong (Air Hitam) and Wee Jeck Seng (Tanjung Piai). Both constituencies are in Johor.