No clue on offer of No. 2 post to Anwar, says Muhyiddin

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassins says PKR politicians are trying to cause trouble with claims that opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was offered the DPM’s job. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, February 24, 2015.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has denied having knowledge about any plan to offer the country's number two post to opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as part of a political reconciliation plan between the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Rakyat (PR).

News portal Malaysiakini reported Muhyiddin as urging the public not to believe such claims made by PKR politicians.

"I do not know about the issue, I only read about it in the newspapers.

"There are more important issues to be handled than battling for positions," Muhyiddin was quoted by Malaysiakini as saying in Putrajaya today.

The Federal Court upheld Anwar's sodomy conviction and five-year jail sentence on February 10.

At a ceramah in Penang five days after the verdict, PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar said her father had been offered the No. 2 post in 2013 soon after the 13th general election in which Pakatan Rakyat won 52% of the popular vote.

"He was told to ignore PKR's allies, PAS and DAP. Accept the offer, form a government... 'que sera sera' (whatever will be, will be), 'kita bergembira bersama-sama' (we be happy together),” Nurul Izzah said during her speech on February 15.

On February 17, PKR secretary-general Rafizi Ramli backed up Nurul Izzah's claim, saying said the offer was made as part of reconciliation talks between BN and PR and that Anwar was also offered four ministerial posts.

Rafizi said the offer to Anwar hinged on PKR breaking ranks with DAP and PAS.

The talks, however, broke down after Anwar insisted that PAS and DAP be included in any form of national reconciliation with the BN federal government, Rafizi said.

When asked about this today, Muhyiddin said these claims were meant to distract public attention.

"Do not be trapped by such statements, they are just trying to stir matters," Malaysiakini quoted the deputy prime minister as saying.

- TMI