DR Mahathir Mohamad has reiterated he will step down as prime minister after the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in November.  

“I am ready to resign (as PM) any time. I promised to resign and I will do so after the APEC meeting,” Dr Mahathir told reporters after launching the Anti-Drug month in Putrajaya today. 

But the 94-year-old said he is unsure if the subject will be discussed at Pakatan Harapan’s presidential council meeting on Friday. 

“I am not going to raise it. I’m only going to be the chair,” said Dr Mahathir when asked if the subject is on Friday’s agenda. 

PKR president and prime minister-in-waiting Anwar Ibrahim told the media last week that the transition issue will be resolved at Friday’s meeting. 

“I am inclined to believe that he (Dr Mahathir) will continue leading the country until after the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit.

“In any case, this matter will be finalised in a Pakatan Harapan presidential council meeting this February 21,” he said in a statement on Thursday (February 13).

Meanwhile, Dr Mahathir said the government is reviewing the effectiveness of capital punishment to curb drug trafficking. 

“The punishment for possession and trafficking is death, but some say it’s ineffective as there are still people who are trafficking (drugs).

“We will examine to see if these claims are true. If there are other ways to stop the trafficking and use of drugs and we will amend the laws,” he added. 

He said the government is also looking at decriminalising drug abuse. 

“But it’s important for them to understand that drug abuse is harmful to everyone in general.” – February 18, 2020.