PKR on Khairy's claim of DPM post offer

DAILY EXPRESS NEWS
PKR on Khairy's claim of DPM post offer

Kota Kinabalu: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) de-facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is an experienced politician and understands the dynamics of Malaysian politics to make promises to individuals.

An aide in Anwar's office, Din Merican, said Friday that Pakatan Rakyat operates on the basis of consensus.

"Parti Keadilan is not a hegemonic party. We are a partner, a key member of Pakatan Rakyat (PR). We have to consult our partners. We believe in consultation and must get the support of all partners pertaining to the appointment of the Deputy Prime Minister if he (Anwar) were to become Prime Minister," he said when contacted.

He was commenting on Umno Youth Vice Chief Khairy Jamaluddin's recent statement that he (Khairy) was made to understand that Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) President Datuk Yong Teck Lee would be appointed to the Number Two post in government if Anwar was to be Prime Minister.

"I heard loads were offered (to Yong) like the Deputy Prime Minister's post and oil royalties," Khairy was quoted as saying in Kota Baru.

On speculation that Anwar had offered Yong the DPM's job when they met in Hong Kong earlier, Din said Anwar could not have made such an offer to someone who is outside the PR coalition.

He clarified that basically, Anwar had offered the State an equitable share of petroleum revenue and a greater participation of Sabahans in the new government (to be formed) to recognise the contributions of the people of Sabah.

"Presently, Sabah is playing second fiddle in national affairs, and this situation is not sustainable for a long time. In 1963, Sabah and Sarawak came in with certain expectations through the Malaysia Agreement but some of these have not been fulfilled.

"So, for the sake of Malaysia, we want to bring Sabah and Sarawak closer to our side here (peninsula). That's our feeling," Din pointed out.

This closeness, he said, should be reflected in the share of national revenue.

Asked on the contradiction between Yong's admission that he had met Anwar in Hong Kong and his deputy Datuk Raymond Tan's statement that SAPP does not want anything to be associated with him (Anwar), Din said Tan might be main wayang kulit (in a shadow play).