Contrary to what Rais Yatim said, there is a “consensus document” on transition plan for prime minister
PKR has highlighted a joint statement that outlines Dr Mahathir Mohamad as the Pakatan Harapan candidate for prime minister and Anwar Ibrahim as his successor.
This follows Bersatu supreme council member Rais Yatim telling The Star in an interview that there was no “black and white” for Anwar to succeed Mahathir.
“PKR is satisfied with the transition plan for the prime minister as set out in the Pakatan Harapan consensus document which was jointly agreed by all key leaders, as announced on January 7, 2018, at the Pakatan Harapan convention at Ideal Convention Centre, Selangor.
“Mahathir and the Pakatan Harapan presidential council have also stood by this arrangement,” the PKR leadership council said in a statement, which was issued after a political bureau meeting.
The consensus document paved the way for Mahathir to become its prime ministerial candidate, even despite objections from senior leaders within the coalition.
The document also outlines that if Pakatan Harapan (PH) won the 14th general election and Mahathir became prime minister, he would seek a royal pardon for Anwar, who would thereafter succeed him as the eighth prime minister.
No timeline is mentioned in the document.
Mahathir, who was installed as the seventh prime minister after PH’s electoral victory last year, followed through and sought a royal pardon for Anwar.
Without a fixed timeline, the transition plan remains vague. However, Anwar said that he does not doubt Mahathir on the transition plan and that it is a “done deal”.
Anwar added that the party does not feel this reaffirmation is actually necessary.
“But because of the continuous questions on the issue of transition, we find it necessary to reaffirm our position and express our satisfaction with the ongoing process,” the PKR president said.
Anwar said many today had reacted “negatively” to the matter — even when Mahathir himself had reiterated his position that he will abide by the promise and step down for Anwar.
“Still they will read between the lines, (say that) one or two words are missing or make one or two insinuations. These are completely irrelevant to me.”
Anwar said following his weekly private meetings with the premier, he has no doubts about the succession plan.
“He has been very genuine. Our discussions were frank and open.
“However, I don’t think it is necessary to share the issues that we agreed between us,” he told reporters.
Last February, Anwar said he expected to take charge in not more than two years, but noted that Mahathir must be given enough space to govern effectively during these “difficult and trying times”.
In an interview with CNBC in Bangkok on Saturday (June 22) where he was attending an Asean summit, Mahathir said he would step down as Prime Minister within three years, handing over the reins to Anwar.
Mahathir said that the government needs three years to reduce Malaysia’s debt from 80% of gross domestic product to 54%.
When asked whether he would stay in office to see out that goal, Mahathir said: “No, I will not go beyond three years.”
Meanwhile, PKR information chief Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin said Mahathir stepping down and handing over the premiership to Anwar as promised should no longer be questioned.
Referring to a Bloomberg interview with Mahathir recently, Shamsul said he was amused by how there were always questions about the transition of power, even when it had already been discussed and agreed on.
“The Prime Minister has also reiterated time and again his commitment to honour the agreement.
“So let there be no doubt that the transition will occur in due time and in an orderly manner,” he said in a statement on Sunday (June 23).
According to Shamsul, there are too many interviews and articles about the transition of leadership.
“I am amused at the incessant hounding of the prime minister by media outlets on this matter,” he said.
He warned that continuous politicking and unabating questions on the leadership transition will only serve to undermine the Pakatan Harapan government and foment the rise of extremist politics.
“As the ruling coalition enters its second year as a government, all parties should now focus their energy and mobilise all efforts to deliver on their promises and set out concrete policies to achieve shared prosperity for all.
“In the face of challenges from extreme identity politics, only continuous improvement to the well-being of all Malaysians and enhancement of our overall economy can ensure the survival of democratic politics,” his statement read.