PKR deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali owes Pakatan Harapan (PH) an explanation for wanting Dr Mahathir Mohamad to serve a full term as prime minister, instead of handing over to party president Anwar Ibrahim as agreed, said the party’s youth chief.
Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir questioned why Azmin had supported the opposition’s call for Dr Mahathir to serve a full term when the handover to Anwar had been agreed by all PH parties before the general election last year.
“If Azmin is going to take a different stand, he should give an explanation to the PH presidential council,” Akmal told The Malaysian Insight after an event in Balik Pulau, Penang, last night.
“He should abide by PH’s agreement. This matter of succession had already been discussed at length, and an agreement was reached.”
Under the agreement, Dr Mahathir is to hand over to Anwar in about two years, or around mid-way before the next general election that is due by 2023.
Dr Mahathir has repeatedly said he would stick to the agreement although he has not specified when, saying it would depend on how much he could restore the country’s economic and financial stability.
Azmin this week had voiced his support for Dr Mahathir to serve a full term to ensure the country’s stability.
Yesterday, he said it did not mean he was against Anwar as the eventual successor.
“Don’t make your own assumptions. I did meet Anwar and agree we have issues, but I believe in the wisdom of party leaders and members in resolving them,” he said.
This comes after news of a meeting between Dr Mahathir and opposition representatives last Tuesday, at which those present urged him to complete his term.
It was speculated that Azmin, who is economic affairs minister, had been the only minister present at the meeting, a fact he did not address when asked yesterday.
Others at the meeting are said to be former Umno vice-president Hishammuddin Hussein, PAS vice-president Samsuri Ahmad Mokhtar, PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan and Gabungan Parti Sarawak chief whip Fadillah Yusof.
Meanwhile, PKR vice-president Zuraida Kamaruddin today also welcomed the idea of Dr Mahathir serving a full term.
“I think for the sake of the nation, it needs him to be there for a full term. I would welcome it and I pray ‘long live Mahathir’,” she said.
“It is (about) continuity because we are worried that when he has managed to set the platform…let’s say in these first two years, the continuity to stabilise (the country) would take about five years.
“When there is a handover after one full term, it would be easier because the system, the framework is there. (We) just go on from there,” added Zuraida.
After PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang had voiced the opposition party’s support for Mahathir serving the full term as prime minister, Zuraida is the second Pakatan Harapan leader after Azmin to openly support the idea.