Let Dr Mahathir serve full term for country’s sake, says PKR veep Zuraida

Updated 4 years ago · Published on 3 Aug 2019 12:14PM · 4 Comments

PKR vice-president Zuraida Kamaruddin joins her deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali in supporting Dr Mahathir Mohamad to serve a full term as prime minister. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Afif Abd Halim, August 3, 2019.

PKR vice-president Zuraida Kamaruddin is the next senior leader in the party to voice support for Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad to serve a full term instead of handing it over mid-way to her party president Anwar Ibrahim.

She said Pakatan Harapan leaders, who had agreed to the mid-term succession previously, should “set aside their individual and political interests,” Malaysiakini quoted her as saying.

“Whether it is the country’s way forward or the interest of an individual or a party, we have to look at the whole nation. We can’t be selfish now,” she said at an event in Taman Melawati in Kuala Lumpur today.

Zuraida, who is housing and local government minister, said the agreement for Dr Mahathir hand over to Anwar before the end of the current term, could be discussed agains by the coalition’s leadership.

“If all (leaders) are mature, they will think about what is more important.”

She said a full term of service for Dr Mahathir would be better “for the sake of the nation”.

Zuraida, who is allies with PKR deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali, said it was more important to ensure continuity as the country still needed about five years to stabilise once Dr Mahathir completed “setting the platform”.

“When there is a handover after one full term, it will be easier because the system, the framework is there. (We) just go on from there.”

Azmin, who is economic affairs minister, had voiced support for a full term for Dr Mahathir, drawing the ire of Anwar supporters.

This goes against the pre-election agreement reached by all PH component parties that the 94-year-old statesman should hand over to Anwar in about two years.

Dr Mahathir has repeatedly said he would stick to the agreement although he also said the exact time would depend how much he could restore the country’s economic and financial stability.

This also comes after news of a meeting between Dr Mahathir and opposition representatives last Tuesday, at which those present urged the 94-year-old prime minister to complete his term.

It was speculated that Azmin had been the only minister present at the meeting, a fact he did not address when asked yesterday. – August 3, 2019.

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Comments

  • Sounds like u r going to lose your ministetial post when Anwar comes in as PM. So no choice but to support Dr M.

    Posted 4 years ago by James Wong · Reply

    • PKR sound to be divided for now. DSAI has forgotten to streamline PKR leadership during the party election.
      To safe guard PKR, the President should come up with his clear direction....DSAI failed to understand where his personal future in Malaysian politic.

      Posted 4 years ago by MA63 SSS · Reply

  • The 14th election is about promises and hence the future make to Malaysia. It's not about expediency. Zuraida should review her own abilities and achievements and spend less time on agreed 14th election promises.

    Posted 4 years ago by Zeeviewz Zeeviewz · Reply

  • Come on now, Zuraida, you don't really care about being "mature" or "the sake of the nation", do you?

    I mean, WHAT HAVE YOU ACHIEVED AS A MINISTER, ever since you were put in office?

    Where's your solution for urban housing?
    Are you reigning in the recalcitrant Napoleons still riding high in the local councils?
    What is your next 50 years blueprint for housing needs in M'sia?

    So, would you be willing to 'not be selfish now,' step away, let someone better do your job (although I wouldn't
    recommend any candidate from Bersatu)?

    Posted 4 years ago by Rock Hensem · Reply