DR Mahathir Mohamad should remain prime minister as long as he can discharge his duty while PKR president Anwar Ibrahim can wait, said Umno secretary-general Annuar Musa today.

Annuar said Dr Mahathir has the experience, a good track record and has been performing well.

He added there is no rush for Dr Mahathir to relinquish his position and pass it to Anwar.

“With Dr Mahathir’s experience and being the unifying factor in Pakatan Harapan, I personally feel he should be there as long as he can discharge his duty.

“It’s not good for me to say this as an opposition member. But the opposition will remain in its position until then next election.

“If Dr Mahathir is healthy (I pray to Allah that he remains healthy) and still able to devote the rest of his life for the betterment of Malaysia, why not? I’m sure Anwar can wait,” he told reporters at the Parliament lobby.

Annuar, who is Ketereh MP, said the transition of power could have a huge effect on the nation and its economy.

He added pushing Dr Mahathir to relinquish his position will create instability within PH and have impact on the country as a whole.

His remarks followed rumours of attempts to derail the transition plan.

Last week, Anwar said he had been told by Sembrong MP Hishammuddin Hussein that he was hoping to form a new government with Pakatan Harapan without component parties DAP and Amanah.

Anwar said this when asked who gave Pakatan Harapan information that Hishammuddin and his cohorts are negotiating to edge out DAP and Amanah.

“I asked Sembrong,” he said at the Parliament lobby after Pakatan Harapan secretaries general had issued a statement, warning Hishammuddin not to destabilise the people’s will.

Hishammuddin immediately dismissed the talk, saying he is in no position to do such a thing.

Last month, Anwar reiterated that he would succeed 94-year-old Dr Mahathir in 2020. – October 21, 2019.