PAKATAN Harapan secretary-general Saifuddin Abdullah’s assertion that PH had only agreed to Anwar Ibrahim as successor to Dr Mahathir Mohamed as the prime minister but the timing of such transition was never discussed (as reported in Malaysiakini on Jan 1).
While it is true that the time of transition was not discussed, Saifuddin’s simplistic assertion is misleading – without giving the full historical context that would have highlighted the exact interim nature of Dr Mahathir’s premiership.
We must remember that Dr Mahathir’s marriage to PH was only sealed after months of haggling and strenuous efforts to overcome objections from dissenting PH members, the two protagonists having been deadly enemies for decades.
PH had finally agreed to let Dr Mahathir lead the coalition and take up the premiership (in the event of winning the election) only because PH’s common leader Anwar was then in prison and hence legally disqualified for the premiership.
If Anwar had not been incarcerated then, the question of Dr Mahathir leading and becoming PM would never have arisen.
So, it was clearly understood and agreed to by all parties then that Dr Mahathir would be an interim PM pending the day when Anwar would be legally qualified to take up the premiership.
After such agreement to his interim premiership was reached, Dr Mahathir’s later suggested himself that he might stay for two years, as he thought the legal process leading to Anwar’s eventual legal qualification for the premiership might take considerable time. The component parties of PH was non-committal to Dr Mahathir’s two-year suggestion then.
Lo and behold, Anwar was given a full royal pardon almost immediately after PH’s electoral victory, stunning everyone except perhaps Anwar’s family who had been working around the clock seeking the royal pardon for Anwar.
Should Dr Mahathir step down for Anwar to take over then? Anwar’s answer was that he was not in a hurry to take over, and that he would rather Dr Mahathir felt free to continue his management of the transition to the new PH regime and hand over at a time comfortable to Dr Mahathir.
And that is all there is on the background surrounding Dr Mahathir’s interim premiership.
What’s next?
I think enough water has flowed under the bridge over the past seven months for both principals – Dr Mahathir and Anwar – to ponder and reflect honestly whether this is the right time for the handover – in the best interests of the nation. For which, I also suggest the leadership of component parties of PH gives this issue serious thought.
If the consensus is that this is not the right time, then fix the time of handing over so as to stamp out increasingly detrimental speculation and to avert dangerous political manoeuvres that may prove to be the undoing of this budding regime.
I am sure that if all of us were to place the interests of our nation as our top priority, we would be able to make the best decision that would enable us to exploit to the fullest this godsent opportunity to make the best for all Malaysians.
* Kim Quek reads The Malaysian Insight.
* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.
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Comments
On the other hand, DSAI is not ready to hold the reins of leadership..
His presiding over the recently concluded PKR election episode was far from impressive. In fact, potential issues perhaps even a split in PKR is brewing..
Saiduddin, better to resolve PKRs internal conflict before talking about transition steps for hand over of premiership.. because it involves the Minister of Economic Affairs who is not only an instrumental member of Dr Ms cabinet but also holds important portfolios..
Posted 7 years ago by TTs Take · Reply
So, dont turn around and say if DSAI was this and that. THE FACT THAT DSAI WAS IN JAIL MEANT NO SHOW AS HE WAS HELPLESS AS A PRINCESS IN DISTRESS... and awaiting a life line from DR M!
Recognise & Respect that fact, you ball carrier Saifuddin!!
Posted 7 years ago by TTs Take · Reply
People like Saifuddin has much to be grateful and thankful for... his boss for retaining him in PKRs leadership.
Already everyone is scared of displeasing DSAI for they may lose their shot and opportunity in the government echelon... They are afraid of losing opportunities of enjoying and yielding power, perhaps the opportunity to make money too..
citizens of Malaysia... although ppl voted in the PH coalition to lead the government, please monitor their every move and check them, report them so that they stay on tract. Dont let PH become DUMBO 3.0 or whatever..
Posted 7 years ago by TTs Take · Reply
Posted 7 years ago by Aplanaidu Pathanaidu · Reply