Pakatan officially names Anwar opposition leader

KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia's Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition has officially named the People's Justice Party (PKR) president Anwar Ibrahim as the Opposition leader, and informed both the Parliament and the Prime Minister's Office of the decision.

In a statement on Thursday evening (May 7), PH secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the Democratic Action Party (DAP) had informed the council that it would not be nominating one of its own for the position, thus paving the way for Anwar's appointment in his capacity as a Port Dickson Member of Parliament (MP).

DAP is the party with the largest number of MPs within PH.

“Usually, the post of Opposition leader is given to the party with the most MPs, taking into account at the same time the views of all MPs within the coalition,” he said in a statement.

Mr Saifuddin added in the statement that signed letters were dispatched to Parliament Speaker Mohamad Ariffin Md Yusof's office on Monday, and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Parliament and Law) Takiyuddin Hassan on Thursday.

“Langkawi MP Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Semporna MP Shafie Apdal have also been informed of the appointment,” Mr Saifuddin said, referring to the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia chairman and Parti Warisan Sabah president, respectively.

Mr Saifuddin said the presidential council met on March 21 and April 26 to discuss the position, among other issues. MALAY MAIL