The Malaysian Insight

KAPAR lawmaker Abdullah Sani Abdul Hamid today apologised to Dr Mahathir Mohamad for alleging that he and Daim Zainuddin were plotting to prevent Anwar Ibrahim from becoming the next prime minister.

He said the incoming PKR president called him yesterday and assured him that Dr Mahathir is committed to the Pakatan Harapan consensus, where Anwar will succeed the prime minister in two years.

Abdullah said he sent a letter to Dr Mahathir’s office in Putrajaya earlier today apologising to the prime minister over the claim.

“After being advised and instructed by Anwar, I was made to understand that (my remarks) have damaged the prime minister’s reputation.

“I would like to apologise… I hope my worry that there are efforts to thwart the transfer of power by Tun is not true,” said Abdullah, a three-term PKR federal lawmaker, in a press conference today.

Abdullah, who is campaigning for Rafizi Ramli to be deputy president in the PKR elections, alleged while campaigning that Dr Mahathir and Daim preferred incumbent PKR deputy president Azmin Ali to succeed as prime minister.

Both Dr Mahathir and Daim have denied the allegation. Dr Mahathir had also demanded proof to substantiate the allegation.

Abdullah, a former trade union activist, sent his apology letter to Dr Mahathir’s office in Putrajaya earlier today.

“I believe Dr Mahathir will honour the consensus,” he said.

However, he said he will not tolerate any attempt from within or outside PH to prevent Anwar from becoming the next prime minister.

He added that Daim and Bersatu strategist Rais Hussin previously made disparaging remarks about Anwar’s succession.

“Dr Mahathir wanted proof. The proof is in what they said,” he said.

Daim said it was foolish to make Anwar the prime minister immediately in an interview with Singapore newspaper The Straits Times published on May 15 and Rais supported the statements. – August 21, 2018.