ANWAR Ibrahim is ready to wait till November to take over from Dr Mahathir Mohamad as the prime minister, reports Reuters. 

In the wake of rumours of a new political pact involving Umno, PAS and Dr Mahathir’s Bersatu to keep the latter in place, Anwar told Reuters in an interview that he was ready to wait for six more months beyond the initially agreed May deadline to take over as prime minister. 

The PKR president also said he had enough support in parliament to takeover from Dr Mahathir. 

“You’ve waited 20 years, extending six months doesn’t actually matter,” Anwar was quoted as telling Reuters in an interview. 

“If there’s a request to go back to parliament, of course it can be done, but Pakatan Harapan has the majority right now. Even those who are not in PH, some would support the PM of the day.

“I have also been given that assurance. They support Dr Mahathir as the PM, and they will continue to support me when I assume the prime ministership,” he said.

Dr Mahathir and Anwar have repeatedly said the handover of office will take place as agreed, although there has never been an official deadline of two years.

The 94-year-old Dr Mahathir repeated he would step down before the end of his five-year term in 2023, to make way for 72-year-old Anwar.

Dr Mahathir in December said he would hand over the leadership to Anwar after the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in November, as doing so before would be disruptive.

In the interview, the Port Dickson MP expressed willingness to provide space for Dr Mahathir to continue to contribute after he becomes prime minister, adding that he was ready to move on from a bitter past.

“His presence in a way… would certainly help boost the general confidence and give some sort of semblance of stability and order,” Anwar said.

“There will be no real drastic policy difference. There would be different emphasis, of course, but on a personal basis, I certainly welcome very much his presence and contribution in any way.”

Anwar, however, said that he will work towards mending ties with India, which has gone south following Dr Mahathir’s criticisms of the country’s two policies.

This has since led to a plunge in palm oil trade between Malaysia and India. – February 6, 2020.