Anwar’s retirement announcement a ploy, says Dr M

Dr M has called Anwar’s statement “rhetoric”. — file pic

KUALA LUMPUR, July 6 — Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim should not waste any more time if he intends to retire from politics as he has said. 

“He should retire right now. It is futile ... his desire to become the prime minister,” the former prime minister told reporters after paying a courtesy call to visiting President of the Czech Republic Vaclav Klaus, here.

Anwar had indicated in an interview published recently by the Financial Times that he might consider quitting politics if the opposition fails to wrest federal power in the next general election, due by April next year. 

Dr Mahathir said Anwar’s statement was mere rhetoric because, even if the opposition pact were to lose in the next general election, he would continue to dream of becoming the prime minister.

The former prime minister said in jest that probably an honorary prime ministerial post could be established for Anwar for the duration of five days to enable him to fulfil his dream prior to retirement.

Meanwhile, Federal Territory Umno Liaison Committee secretary Datuk Syed Ali Alhabshee said Anwar’s latest statement was yet another ploy to garner sympathy votes in the next general election.

“Anwar should retire from politics now because he himself knows that he cannot win in the next general election. He and the others in the opposition pact realise that they cannot compete against the proven track record of the Barisan Nasional (BN) which has the support of the people,” he told Bernama when contacted.

The Cheras Umno Division chief said he was convinced that Anwar would continue to be active in politics even if the opposition pact were to lose in the next general election because he harbours ambitions of becoming the prime minister.

Syed Ali advised BN leaders to be wary of Anwar’s tactics, saying the Permatang Pauh MP was deft at psychological warfare and propaganda. — Bernama