The Malaysian Insight

WHILE Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad is in charge of the country, his successor Anwar Ibrahim said for now, he wants to be in charge of parliamentary affairs.

The incoming PKR president said he will look after Parliament and handle reforms despite him not being in government yet.

“I told the prime minister that he can continue to run the government, let me look at affairs of Parliament.

“Even after I join (the government), let me look at parliamentary reforms and you (Dr Mahathir) continue to manage state affairs,” Anwar told reporters after chairing a meeting with laureates in Petaling Jaya today.

However, the former deputy prime minister did not specify on what capacity he will be managing parliamentary affairs.

Anwar also said there were those who wanted to “drive a wedge” between him and Dr Mahathir, but added the duo’s ties are good now.

““I will continue to support him (Dr Mahathir). I will not allow (people to drive a wedge).

“I will not allow attempts to disrupt our relationship. We have fought hard battles before and we have now decided to be a formidable team,” he said.

According to a Pakatan Harapan agreement, Dr Mahathir is supposed to give up the premiership to allow Anwar to become prime minister.

While no timeline has been stated, Dr Mahathir had previously asked for two years before he could handover.

Anwar meanwhile will have to stand in a by-election to be elected as an MP before he could take up any posts in the government. – August 17, 2018.