Amanah, DAP want PH to find common ground to restore people's mandate

Amanah and the DAP have called on all parties in Pakatan Harapan (PH) to seek common ground to reclaim the people's rights given in the 14th general election (GE 14).

Amanah President Mohamad Sabu and DAP Secretary-General Lim Guan Eng said in a joint statement that it was a sacred struggle for democracy and the value of the votes of millions of Malaysians who had chosen to change the previous government.

They said the call was for all parties in PH, Warisan and Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's group.

"We would like to express our response to PKR who had previously announced the rejection of the second option to nominate Dr Mahathir as prime minister and Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as deputy prime minister with the transfer of power to Anwar after six months.

"This is due to Warisan and Dr Mahathir rejecting the first option to nominate Anwar as prime minister and Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir as deputy prime minister.

"These two options were presented at the Presidential Council meeting on May 30, 2020.

"We have consistently supported Anwar as the prime ministerial candidate since 1998 and will continue to do so," they said.

They said the only realistic option to succeed was to consolidate the strength of all five parties namely PKR, Amanah and DAP from Pakatan Harapan and Warisan and Dr Mahathir's supporters in Bersatu.

"This political journey has taken 22 years, so we can wait another six months to see Anwar appointed as the 10th Prime Minister.

"The six-month transition will be documented in writing, signed by all party leaders and made public," they said.

They said DAP and Amanah have been working hard for the past three months to find common ground for all parties.

"Unfortunately, the effort has not been successful. We hope that PKR and Dr Mahathir along with Warisan will not get further but remain united.

"Seeing each other as an enemy and not an ally will not help the people's struggle but will only help those who have overthrown a legitimate government of the people, with a government without the people’s mandate.

"Only if we can agree, will we ensure that Pakatan Harapan can reclaim this government of the people," they said.

They also said they should have nothing to do with the main characters (former PH leaders) responsible for overthrowing PH's legitimate government and allowing the PN government without mandate.

Voters, they added, will not forgive those who have betrayed the trust they have been given.

"We pay tribute to the PH, Warisan and Bersatu leaders who have dared to face threats and temptation to reject the PN government, who is without a mandate.

"All political parties and the public are supporting and cooperating with the Sabah State Government under the leadership of Chief Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal to prevent traitors from trying to overthrow the elected government," they said.

As PH members, they explained that they would continue to carry out their duties and responsibilities to the people and millions who voted for change.

They also want to be the defenders of the people to ensure that government funds are used to help them, and not be left out because of mismanagement especially during the COVID-19 crisis that had devastating effects on the economy.

"The need to extend the bank loan moratorium for another six months and public outrage over rising electricity bills by Tenaga Nasional Bhd is a symptom of the PN government's failure to address the people's misery by the COVID-19 economic crisis.

"We will also mobilize the party machinery to prepare for the possible snap elections, and to work with all political parties who have rejected the PN government," they said.