Daim out to stop Anwar? Prove it, says Dr M

The prime minister also says he has nothing to do with internal matters of other parties.

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Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad also said the jet belonging to Jho Low will be taken back to Malaysia as soon as it is able to fly.

PUTRAJAYA: Dr Mahathir Mohamad today brushed off claims by two PKR leaders that Putrajaya’s chief adviser Daim Zainuddin is among those out to stop Anwar Ibrahim from becoming the prime minister.

“That’s a nice allegation. The person who said it should provide proof,” the prime minister said, referring to statements by the PKR leaders.

On Saturday, Kapar MP Abdullah Sani said there had been efforts to stop Anwar from taking over from Dr Mahathir Mohamad as promised under a deal reached among the Pakatan Harapan leadership prior to the May 9 polls.

“Yes, we know they have been conspiring with those who have wronged Anwar. I can tell you openly. Daim Zainuddin, yes, his role in ensuring… if we do not choose Rafizi today, Anwar will definitely face difficulties to assume the prime minister’s role,” Abdullah was reported as saying.

In the months leading to Anwar’s sacking as his deputy in 1998, Mahathir had recalled Daim from retirement to head the National Economic Action Committee (NEAC) which was formed to address the economic crisis.

Anwar, who recently won the party presidency unopposed, had previously accused the former finance minister of taking part in a conspiracy to end his political career.

Ijok assemblyman Dr Idris Ahmad, meanwhile, charged that Mahathir and Daim had “sponsored” some PKR leaders to destroy the party from within.

Mahathir, however, said today that he had nothing to do with internal matters of other parties

Meanwhile, on a separate matter, Mahathir said as soon as the jet belonging to Low Taek Jho, or Jho Low, can fly again, Putrajaya would bring it home.

“It has been lying on the ground a long time. It needs to be checked. When it can fly, we will bring it home.”

Yesterday Mahathir said the government was looking to seize a private jet belonging to the controversial businessman which was impounded by Singaporean authorities in 2017.

The US$35 million Bombardier Global 5000 is part of some US$1 billion in assets allegedly acquired with funds misappropriated from 1MDB. It was impounded by Singaporean authorities and grounded at the Seletar Airport. - FMT