PKR president Anwar Ibrahim revealed he is in talks with Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad over the transition of power at Putrajaya amid concerns over the lack of a definite timeline for the transition.
Analysts from various sectors pointed out that Malaysia’s political risks are higher in the absence of a definite timeline. Political opponents are using this loophole to hit at the Pakatan Harapan as a divided lot incapable of ruling without Dr Mahathir as PM.
Credit Swiss in Malaysia says the timing and method of handover from Dr M to Anwar creates uncertainty but credits the Prime Minister for his unambiguous stance on this point.
During the Pakatan’s one-year anniversary speech the strong man who is also the oldest leader in the world told the audience he would step down after resolving the problems inherited from the previous government.
In an interview with the local media, he made it clear and certain that his successor will be Anwar.
Anwar said Dr Mahathir and him will discuss the timeline adding that talks on the date for the transition of power are going well.
But refused to give a hint on the timeline or the exact date. Anwar is already addressing audiences as the future PM of Malaysia, saying Dr Mahathir will have a role to play in the country after he resigns as PM.
“Mahathir will play a statesman role when I become PM,” said Anwar, whose wife Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail is the current deputy PM. Wan Azizah will resign from her post once Anwar is PM.
Before the May 2018 elections, Pakatan agreed that Dr Mahathir would be the prime minister-designate, Wan Azizah would be the deputy prime minister-designate and announced Anwar as the country’s eighth prime minister.
Anwar’s statement to the media came after Democratic Action Party chief Lim Kit Siang’s offer to quit politics if Dr M does not hand over power to Anwar.
Lim was responding to claims by Umno chief Mohamad Hasan who believes Dr Mahathir will never hand over power to Anwar. Umno and its newest ally the Islamist PAS is campaigning against a change in leadership in Putrajaya.
Lim says he will bet his political career on the leadership transition, the process will also go on smoothly, without the need to call for fresh elections.