by Iain McIntyre

PASIR MAS, MALAYSIA - The Pakatan Rakyat should be led by PAS instead of PKR because the former had more grassroots and a greater Malay membership, said Pasir Mas MP Datuk Paduka Ibrahim Ali.

He said PKR, although led by a Malay and had more MPs in Parliament, is perceived by many to be a multi-ethnic party, similar to DAP.

'This does not fit in well with the Malay psyche. To balance insecurities and fears, PAS should be appointed to led the Pakatan,' he said in an interview.

Ibrahim said this move would reflect the actual demographics in the country where Malays were dominant in terms of numbers.

He added that this would appease all communities and lead to the birth of a practical two-party system where no single coalition is strong and each side can become the watchdog of the other, he said.

In such a situation, he said the people would benefit the most as both sides would be competing with each other.

Asked about Anwar's attempts to lure Barisan MPs to defect by Sept 16, Ibrahim said he did not think it would become a reality.

'Firstly, Parliament is not in session on Sept 16. Secondly, to achieve a secure majority, Anwar needs more than just 30 MPs which means he has to fish a sizeable number of MPs,' he said.

Thirdly, he said any change of the Federal Government must involve the Rulers' Council and specifically the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Ibrahim said Sabah and Sarawak MPs knew they stood to benefit from a weakened Umno and could seek the Federal Government's attention since they were now more valuable to Barisan than they were to the Pakatan.

'Why should they give it all up for incentives promised by Anwar?

'A few Sabah MPs spoke personally with me. We had a frank chat and some swore that there is no need to join a coalition led by Anwar now,' he said.