The opposition may be mulling an interim prime minister candidate pending Anwar Ibrahim taking over the position but it still owes voters an explanation on what will happen if the PKR de facto leader cannot get a royal pardon.

This is according to Communications and Multimedia Minister Salleh Said Keruak, who had repeatedly criticised the opposition coalition for promising too much uncertainty.

“Will Anwar agree to apply for his pardon or will be still insist that he is not going to apply for it as this would tantamount to an admission of guilt?

“Will the interim prime minister and deputy prime minister then continue to hold office indefinitely if Anwar fails to get pardoned and released?” he said in a blog posting.

PKR’s Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar today confirmed that the opposition will hold a special meeting to decide on a prime minister candidate who is “committed to the reform agenda” but stressed the goal was still to see Anwar in the top post.

DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang had in a dinner function last night had also proposed PKR president Wan Azizah Wan Ismail as interim prime minister and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia Muhyiddin Yassin interim deputy prime minister.

Salleh said Lim’s proposal made it sound as if the issue was “resolved” but there still needs to be an explanation of the opposition’s backup plan of Anwar does not get a pardon.

If Anwar gets an early release in June 2018, he will still not be able to contest in an election for five years unless he gets a pardon.

Failing which, Anwar cannot come to power until after the middle of 2023.

“Will the interim prime minister and deputy prime minister then continue to hold office indefinitely if Anwar fails to get pardoned and released?” asked Salleh.

Salleh also questioned if Lim’s proposal had the consensus from other Harapan partners and Bersatu.

He said Lim should also explain if DAP will want the prime minister position if its Malay candidates were to win parliamentary seats in the next general election.

The general election is not due until the second half of 2018.