IF MAHATHIR SO IN DEMAND IN SELANGOR, WHY NOT ‘MAKE’ HIM MB? BERSATU MAN BACKS UP GAY-TAINTED AZMIN – CLAIMS HALF OF SELANGOR REPS WANT DR M TO STAY, SOME KEEPING MUM

SHAH ALAM – Selangor Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia assemblyman Sallehudin Amiruddin claimed that some 50% of the state’s assemblymen want Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to complete the five-year term as Prime Minister.

However, the state Bersatu information chief and Kuang assemblyman said most of them were maintaining their silence at the moment, but had voiced their opinion during private discussions.

Sallehudin, who spoke to journalists on the sidelines of the state legislative assembly yesterday, said Dr Mahathir needed the full term to stabilise the nation and economy.

“We are stating this clearly now for everyone to know.

“Our stance also follows the media statement issued by Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Azmin Ali on July 29 as well as the same stand taken by the Opposition, ” said Sallehudin.

Azmin said in his statement that it was necessary for Dr Mahathir to serve out his term to “ensure stability, continuity and consistency of government policies”, among others.

Both Umno and PAS had also echoed the call for Dr Mahathir to remain in office.

Sallehuddin added that since the change of government after the last general election, Dr Mahathir had successfully placed Malaysia on the right track as well as enhance the nation’s image at the international level.

“Under his leadership, investors’ confidence has returned through the transparency and stability of the shared prosperity concept, ” said Sallehudin.

Given this, he stressed that Selangor Bersatu representatives did not see the need for the Prime Minister to leave before his mission to rebuild the nation is completed.

“We urge all Bersatu and other Pakatan Harapan MPs and assemblymen to stand firmly behind Tun’s leadership, ” he said.

Sallehudin said at the end of the five-year term, if Pakatan wanted PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to become the prime minister, Selangor Bersatu would fully support the move, and urged Anwar to be patient.

The other four Bersatu assemblymen in Selangor are Datuk Abdul Rashid Asari (Selat Kelang), Mohd Shaid Rosli (Jeram), Adhif Syan Abdullah (Batang Kali) and Harumaini Omar (Dengkil).

Later in the day, Mentri Besar Amirudin Shari told reporters that he had not discussed with Azmin about the latter’s statement on July 29 calling for Dr Mahathir to complete his five-year term.

He said the decision should be left to Pakatan’s top leaders.

– ANN