PKR reiterates support for Dr M amid PAS' coup theory

The PKR central leadership council today reiterated its support for the Pakatan Harapan administration under Dr Mahathir Mohamad, amid PAS suggesting that an internal coup was brewing against the prime minister.

"PKR stresses that the unity and cooperation in Harapan must be defended, and strongly rejects all accusations aimed at putting its leaders under pressure and their cooperation," it said in a statement today.

The statement was made after the monthly PKR central leadership council meeting today.

"PKR firmly holds on to the agreement arrived at on Jan 7, 2018, which states that Mahathir will be made prime minister and Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail deputy prime minister, and that Anwar Ibrahim will take over as the eighth prime minister after two years.

"PKR stresses that its position on the matter has not changed," it said.

The party also emphasised that all resources should be directed towards helping the Harapan government strengthen the economy and overcome rising living costs. 

A meeting took place between Mahathir and PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang on Feb 15, which the latter claimed concerned issues of governance.

Mahathir said, however, that PAS had signed an agreement promising not to support Umno in the March 2 Semenyih by-election. 

PAS leaders later disputed this, but admitted to the existence of an agreement, which they said was to declare the party's support for the prime minister.

In justifying the need for this, PAS claimed it was backing Mahathir because there is an attempted internal coup against him.