The Malaysian Insight

PRIME Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad reiterated that incoming PKR president Anwar Ibrahim will be the next prime minister.

The Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman said he has no beef with the former deputy prime minister and is not going back on his promise to name him as replacement.

“So far, my relationship with Anwar is as good as it gets,” Dr Mahathir told reporters during a press conference today.

“We already agreed that it must be Anwar. I am not reneging on my promise but the period, of course, is not very certain.”

Dr Mahathir said he was aware that he will not remain prime minister for long because of his age.

“But, I am conscious that I am very old, in two years I will be 95-years old,” he said.

According to an agreement among PH component parties, Dr Mahathir is supposed to give up his post to Anwar.

While no timeline has been stated, Dr Mahathir had previously asked for two years before he hands over the reins.

Anwar is contesting in the recently vacated Port Dickson constituency to be elected as an MP before he could take up any posts in the government.

However, Dr Mahathir said PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution had informed him that Anwar will not be taking any posts in the current government even if he wins the seat.

“When Anwar wins he will not seek a position in government, meaning to say he is not asking to be a minister.

“I take it that it must have been with the consent of Anwar that he (Saifuddin) said this,” Dr Mahathir said.

Anwar previously had said he will be in charge of parliamentary affairs and reforms despite not officially being a part of the government. – September 14, 2018.