THE new prime minister had the right to revamp the cabinet, Anwar Ibrahim said, adding he could exercise that right in regard to Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s ministerial line-up when he took over.

In an interview with Channel NewsAsia, the PKR president-elect said any reshuffling would be based on the performance of the ministers.

“The option is always given to the new leader to decide. I have not thought about it yet; it all depends…if they are effective, they should continue,” Anwar said.

He said the ministers had 18 months more to “prove themselves”, alluding to the expected timeline for him to take over as prime minister by 2020.

Anwar is to succeed Dr Mahathir under an agreement between the parties of Pakatan Harapan.

While both leaders have repeatedly affirmed the line of succession, there is still talk, particularly within certain factions in PKR, that Dr Mahathir and those allied to him are out to prevent Anwar from taking over the reins.

Anwar in the CNA interview also said Dr Mahathir had no desire to remain in government after he stepped down.

Anwar, 70, is contesting the Port Dickson seat vacated by a PKR colleague in a bid to re-enter the Dewan Rakyat as a federal lawmaker. –  September 19, 2018.