My father had no plans for me to replace Anwar, says Mukhriz


Alfian Z.M. Tahir

Mukhriz Mahathir says his father was adamant to let PKR president Anwar Ibrahim succeed him as prime minister. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, September 10, 2020.

MUKHRIZ Mahathir was never going to replace Anwar Ibrahim as the prime minister candidate after Dr Mahathir Mohamad resigned, the former Kedah menteri besar said.

Mukhriz told Insight Talk that speculations that he will replace Anwar were simply allegations made by those who did not know how a prime minister is appointed.

He said his father was adamant that Anwar would succeed him when he stepped down.

“I was not in his plan (to replace Anwar as PM) and his position was that Anwar will take over,” he said.

Mukhriz said he had personally asked his father about the power transition.

“As his son, I asked him about the power transition, and he told me that he was determined to fulfill his promise (to Anwar).

“Whatever happens, he said, he will hand it over to Anwar. He wanted to end his political career, his legacy, by handing the prime minister’s position to Anwar. It was only a matter of time.”

Dr Mahathir became the country’s 7th prime minister following Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) victory in the last general election. It was agreed by PKR, DAP, Amanah and Bersatu that Dr Mahathir would be replaced by Anwar in two years time.

However, the power transition became a hot topic for PKR and Anwar’s supporters, who kept questioning Bersatu and the 95-year-old Dr Mahathir on when it would happen.

Dr Mahathir had previously said he would hand over the position to Anwar after the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit at the end of the year.

The former prime minister was accused of trying to delay the power transition and was portrayed as trying to break his promise to his former deputy.

Dr Mahathir resigned as the prime minister in February following Bersatu’s decision to quit PH.

Initially, Umno and PAS had thrown their support behind the nonagenarian to continue to lead the country.

However, the two parties decided to back Muhyiddin Yassin after Dr Mahathir refused to work with several Umno members who are facing corruption charges.

Muhyiddin was sworn in as the prime minister after Dr Mahathir and Anwar failed to present the numbers to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, indicating how much support they had from the 222 parliamentarians. – September 10, 2020.


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Comments


  • Dear Mukhriz, we are not stupid.

    Posted 5 years ago by Zarul MA · Reply

  • Tun, himself said many times that Anwar is not fit to be PM, eventhough he was the 7th PM because of Anwars PKR. DS Anwar wont be fooled again.

    Posted 5 years ago by Aplanaidu Pathanaidu · Reply

  • Say what you like laaa. Your daughter caught flouting the law and reported drunk at 1 am . This is not acceptable and in fact despise by any god-fearing Muslims. Are you placing yourself at par with Anwar?

    Posted 5 years ago by Zainuddin Yusoff · Reply

  • Say what you like laaa. Your daughter caught flouting the law and reported drunk at 1 am . This is not acceptable and in fact despise by any god-fearing Muslims. Are you placing yourself at par with Anwar?

    Posted 5 years ago by Zainuddin Yusoff · Reply

  • Lets be honest. As long as your father lives he will never want to see Anwar as PM.

    Posted 5 years ago by Elyse Gim · Reply