PKR’s Hassan says Anwar not likely to push Umno out

In a recent interview, PKR MP Hassan Karim suggested that Umno has three potential courses of action if it wishes to challenge the Anwar Ibrahim government. Karim, speaking from Pasir Gudang, stated that Umno does not necessarily have to wait to be removed from the government to challenge it. The three options mentioned by Karim include the following: urging Barisan Nasional's 30 MPs to withdraw their support for the coalition government led by Anwar; instructing Umno's ministers to resign; or presenting a no-confidence motion against Anwar during the subsequent session of the Dewan Rakyat.

Karim criticized Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for issuing a challenge to his critics, accusing them of seeking to remove Umno from the government. Zahid has also dared his critics to introduce a no-confidence motion against Anwar. Karim, who is a Pasir Gudang MP, argued that it was inappropriate to make such threats during the Umno general assembly.

However, he maintained that Anwar, who serves as PH’s chairman, would not dismiss Umno ministers or remove the party from the government due to his appreciation for their contributions.

Karim reminded Umno that the unity government is not an official coalition, and any party could withdraw support at any time. Regarding Zahid's threat aimed at the three million Umno members, Karim remarked, "Zahid will crow in front of three million Umno members, but don't forget the country has 33 million citizens."

Furthermore, Karim suggested that a better approach for Zahid and Umno would be to emulate former Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli, who resigned as a federal minister after losing the PKR elections. Recently, Zahid reiterated Umno's commitment to remain in the government until the end of its term, despite making subtle criticisms of Anwar.