Anwar admits attempt to sabotage PM succession plan

Updated 5 years ago · Published on 4 Jan 2019 12:12PM · 3 Comments

PKR president Anwar Ibrahim speaking at a Pakatan Harapan charity dinner last month. He has, for the first time, admitted the existence of a conspiracy to stop him from becoming the next prime minister. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, January 4, 2019.

ANWAR Ibrahim has admitted there are saboteurs in Pakatan Harapan seeking to derail the plan for him to take over as prime minister, reports the Financial Times.

The PKR president told the business daily on Wednesday that there are people out to put a stop to the arrangement between him and Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

“There are pockets, people who, for their own reasons, would like to sabotage the arrangement,” he was quoted as saying.

“I can’t deny, some people in the ruling coalition (have) a different agenda.”

It is the first time that Anwar, who is also Port Dickson MP, has admitted there exists a conspiracy against him, which was raised by his loyalists in the run-up to the last PKR polls.

Yesterday, Otai Reformasi, a veterans’ group known for being loyal to Anwar, said two people in the party want to prevent him from becoming prime minister in two years’ time.

“Otai Reformasi will oppose anyone who attempts to thwart Anwar from becoming prime minister, (a plan that has been) agreed to by the PH presidential council,” said group chairman Dr Idris Ahmad.

He did not mention names, only saying Facebook posts, including a statement by “a minister”, pointed to such a move.

Claims of a sabotage attempt started when vice-president Rafizi Ramli’s camp, during the PKR polls campaign, said deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali did not want Anwar becoming prime minister.

This week, PH secretary-general Saifuddin Abdullah said there is no formal agreement for Dr Mahathir to hand over the reins to Anwar in two years.

However, the prime minister has repeatedly said he will stick to the succession plan, and Anwar has said there is no reason for him not to believe Dr Mahathir.

“He has done it once (denied succession). Will he do it again? I think the circumstances have changed,” Anwar was quoted as saying by FT.

He did not name the alleged saboteurs.

Last week, Anwar and Azmin publicly clashed over the former’s decision to appoint those aligned with him to the PKR central leadership council despite them having lost in the party elections. – January 4, 2019.

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Comments

  • Next Otak or Otai or whatever will say Azmin is behind the scheme! This internal turmoil in PKR is never ending and now it is becoming a nuisance.
    Just stop this internal bickering and get on with working for the people who put you in power..
    You politicians are so damn selfish, just thinking about power and how to stay in power..
    I think in the five years between elections, 3-4 years are spent on strategising how to stay in power whilst the remaining 1-2 years are spent on serving the people..
    If PH is not going to make a difference in delivering value to the Rakyat, you can kiss GE15 goodbye!

    Posted 5 years ago by TTs Take · Reply

  • Btw, and by the looks of his capabilities... I dont think DSAI will be a capable PM or rather he may not be ready to assume the reins of premiership within the next 2 years..

    He really hasnt shown his capabilities apart from reminding people about the verbal agreement to hand over the reins to him in the next 2 years..

    I think DR M should continue until DSAI is ready.. even if it takes the next 5 years or until GE15.

    The internal turmoil and conflict within PKR is not helping.. it is weakening the party... especially if Azmin & his faction were to leave PKR to form a new coalition or collaborate with Dr Ms party..

    Posted 5 years ago by TTs Take · Reply

    • He is an elected MP and not in the Executive so what capabilities are you talking about? He spent most of his years in jail and still held the coalition together. You're most likely a troll trying to appear reasonable,

      Posted 5 years ago by K Pop · Reply