Queries on next PM can cause uncertainty, says Dr M

Dr Mahathir Mohamad says he will hand over power to Anwar Ibrahim after two or three years.

FUKUOKA: Dr Mahathir Mohamad said repeated statements on transferring power to Anwar Ibrahim could create a sense of uncertainty.

Speaking to reporters at the end of his working visit to Japan, the prime minister said he had repeatedly assured that the transition would take place.

“If we are too obsessed with talking about the transition, many people will get a feeling of uncertainty – what happens when the change takes place?”

Under a deal among Pakatan Harapan (PH) parties, Mahathir will hand over the premiership to Anwar Ibrahim.

Yesterday, electoral watch Bersih 2.0, the Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement (Abim) and Gabungan Bertindak Malaysia (GBM) urged Mahathir to make the transition by May 9, 2021.

Mahathir said when he stepped down previously, he thought his successor would continue his policies, but added that this did not happen.

“Now, when people hear that there is going to be a change, they will get worried. The fear is that all the policies will be changed,” he said.

Mahathir said he does not think that his successor will change all the policies.

“There may be some changes, approaches, but generally I think there is no other way to govern Malaysia than how we have done so for so long, which has brought us success,” he said.

“I don’t think he (Anwar) will change (the policies). There should not be a sense of uncertainty,” he said. - FMT