Dr Mahathir says Anwar will take over after Apec summit, but no date set

Chan Kok Leong Chan Kok Leong Updated 4 years ago · Published on 22 Feb 2020 12:22AM · 3 Comments

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad (right) and PKR president Anwar Ibrahim at a press conference after a Pakatan presidential council meeting in Putrajaya last night. Dr Mahathir says when the power handover will take place ‘has been left to me’ to decide. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Kamal Ariffin, February 22, 2020.

PRIME Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad will hand over the reins to Anwar Ibrahim after the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit in November.

However, no transition date was set last night, Dr Mahathir told reporters shortly after chairing a Pakatan Harapan presidential council meeting in Putrajaya.

“There were two opinions, but in the end, it was left to me. They will follow what I say, and I said the transition will take place after the Apec summit.

“No time, no date, no nothing (is set).

“It has been left to me, whether to let go or not. That is the trust given to me by the party,” said the 94-year-old at the press conference, flanked by PKR president Anwar, Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and other PH leaders.

The matter was decided at the presidential council meeting, which began about 8.30pm at the Perdana Leadership Foundation.

Dr Mahathir said in jest that the decision was reached unanimously.

“This was a unanimous decision from both sides of the floor – the opposition and the government.”

He denied that changes to the cabinet were discussed.

“We did not talk about changes to the cabinet, just discussed a deadline. But that will be left to me. I will decide when I resign.

“Other than that, we also discussed the Sarawak elections, and we will decide our candidates to avoid contesting against each other.

“We will also hold a PH convention at a later date.”

Prior to the meeting, there was intense speculation about when Dr Mahathir would step down, and whether the presidential council would be able to come to an agreement on the matter.

Anwar supporters have urged that the handover take place in May, which will mark two years since PH wrested federal power from Barisan Nasional.

However, Dr Mahathir has repeatedly said since last November that he will resign only after this year’s Apec summit, to be held in Kuala Lumpur. – February 22, 2020.

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Comments

  • The idea to have this harapan presidential council meeting is to fix a date for the transition. Looked like those council members have lost their balls to raise this and had a date fixed. If they get played out from now till Apec, they truly deserve it, you wimps!

    Posted 4 years ago by Amigo sabah · Reply

  • Be practical lah. Once a transition date is assigned, the current PM becomes a lame duck, won't be able to function effectively. For the past 21 months of PH administration, most decisions are based on cabinet decision, so Dr M did not override most of the decisions except for the Lynas case which has angered many rakyat. He disagreed to the toll reduction but allowed Finance MiNister to reduce toll by 18%. Now he agrees to try and fulfill their Manifesto, so OK lah.Is that all we want? Abolish the toll is nice to hear but everyone knows it's not practical. Who is going to pay for the maintenance and management? No Tull increSw is important, in 40 years time this current toll rate will be very cheap to pay if u live long enough. Today's rm50 purchasing power is probably worth about rm15 in 40 yrs time. Cheap if u consider the value of money over time.

    Posted 4 years ago by James Wong · Reply

  • After apac can be anytime . If sincere should give deadline lah

    Posted 4 years ago by H. Mokhtar · Reply