SUBANG JAYA: Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has downplayed suggestions that he will take over the role of Opposition leader from PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

“She is the Opposition leader,” said the former deputy prime minister, pointing at Dr Wan Azizah who was sitting next to him at their first press conference together here, Saturday.

The speculation arose when former minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim said Muhyiddin had the potential to be appointed as the Opposition’s prime minister candidate.

Zaid said this would be possible if a new Opposition political party mooted by former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad materialised.

On another matter, Muhyiddin appeared non-committal when asked whether he would support PKR’s struggle to fight for the release of jailed party adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He stressed, however, that he sympathised with Anwar and that he cared for his health and well-being.

“I was the first minister to have visited him after he was fired from the Cabinet,” he said.

However, Muhyiddin said he did not foresee Anwar’s release in the current political environment.

“But we are together now and any decision we will share together,” he said.-thestar