Dr M poised to be Perikatan's de facto leader, says Salleh Keruak

PETALING JAYA: According to former federal minister Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak, the appointment of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad as the advisor of “State Government 4” (SG4) is a strategic move to establish him as the de facto leader of Perikatan Nasional. Salleh stated on late Thursday (Sept 14) in a Facebook post that this explains why Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, the Perikatan chairman, was not invited for the meeting on the four states of Perlis, Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu when PAS (Parti Islam Se-Malaysia) met Dr Mahathir earlier this month. Salleh further commented that it is a brilliant move by Dr Mahathir if his real intention is to make a political comeback, despite his loss in Langkawi during the 15th General Election.

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Salleh added that Muhyiddin had no choice but to align with PAS in the coalition due to their limited parliamentary seats. Bersatu, led by Muhyiddin, has 31 seats while PAS holds 43 seats. Furthermore, all four states in SG4 are currently governed by PAS.

The four Mentris Besar of the states have agreed in principle to establish the official alliance for strategic cooperation and investment to enhance the living conditions of the people in these states.

Earlier on Thursday, PAS vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar announced that Dr Mahathir would be appointed as the advisor to SG4, focusing on governance matters and attracting investors to the states.