KUALA LUMPUR: PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has fended off yet more questions on when he will succeed Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad as prime minister, saying that the decision is not up to him alone.
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He said such a decision was not just up to him and Dr Mahathir, but would also include the top Pakatan Harapan leadership.
“I believe it is not suitable to announce the exact date because if we do so, the efficacy of the Prime Minister will be affected,” he said when debating Budget 2020 in Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (Oct 15).
He had said this in response to Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim (BN-Arau), who had asked whether the issue of transition plan had been resolved.
Interjecting, Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan (BN-Pontian) said while Dr Mahathir had said that he would only hand over power before the 15th General Election, the premier had also mentioned at another event overseas that he would only step down once all the big issues involving the nation had been resolved.
“I am afraid that YB Port Dickson (Anwar) will only become ‘PM tepi‘,” said Ahmad Maslan, drawing laughter in the Dewan.
Anwar said the agreement made between him and Dr Mahathir did not specify an exact date and that he was satisfied with his weekly meetings with the Prime Minister.
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“In one discussion, it is one year and in another discussion, it is a maximum of two years,” said Anwar.
Datuk Seri Bung Mokhtar Radin (BN-Kinabatangan) then asked Anwar whether he agreed that the issue could cause investors to lose confidence in doing business in the country.
Anwar said this was just a matter of perception and for him, the matter had been resolved.
“So, we will defend this and I guarantee that the transition issue should be resolved among the rakyat.
“Any attempt or small naughty talk must be avoided,” said Anwar. – The Star