DIFFICULT OR NOT, MAHATHIR HAS TO GO & HE KNOWS IT: ‘SUSAH LAH’ DR M TRIES TO BRAZEN IT OUT AS CALLS TO FIX POWER TRANSITION DATE CRESCENDO – BUT THE DECISION IS NOT HIS AS AZIZAH LETS THE CAT OUT OF THE BAG – ‘THERE IS ALREADY A MUTUAL AGREEMENT, WHAT MORE IS THERE TO DISCUSS’

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad sidestepped a question on whether he would put an end to the speculation on the succession issue by setting a specific date to pass the baton to PKR president Anwar Ibrahim.

“We have to study the situation. If the work is half done or not done, ‘susah lah‘ (it is difficult),” he told reporters in Putrajaya this morning.

The spotlight fell on the succession issue again when Mahathir said last week that he would remain as prime minister for a maximum of three years.

Prior to this, Anwar told Bloomberg that he expects to become the prime minister next year.

There have been calls from various quarters, including PAS, for Mahathir to serve the full five-year term.

Yesterday, PKR lawmaker Abdullah Sani Abdul Hamid had asked if there was a conspiracy in the making to derail the succession plan.

He also claimed that Mahathir’s statement that he cannot guarantee his successor would be able to manage the nation well, had cast aspersions on Anwar’s abilities.

Abdullah’s statement was in response to Mahathir supporter, Khairuddin Abu Hassan, who warned that he might mount a campaign to oppose Anwar from becoming prime minister and that the nation could witness a repeat of the 1998 episode.

Wan Azizah: There’s an agreement, nothing to discuss

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who is Anwar’s wife, said there is nothing further to discuss on the transition.

“There is already a mutual agreement. So what more is there to discuss?” she told reporters at a separate function in Kuala Lumpur.

She also declined to comment on PKR founding member Syed Husin Ali’s excoriation of Mahathir, beyond describing it as the veteran leader’s personal opinion.

On Sept 29, Syed criticised the premier for refusing to outline a clear transition plan and questioned whether other Pakatan Harapan leaders have been stymied by Mahathir.

“The people are asking if Anwar, (Bersatu president) Muhyiddin Yassin, (Amanah president) Mohamad Sabu and (DAP veteran)Lim Kit Siang have been stymied by Mahathir?

“Will Mahathir, who has been proven to be a sly leader and skilled at twisting facts, be allowed to continue to deceive the people?

“We direct these questions to the Harapan presidential council. If political anarchy happens due to Mahathir’s actions, they will be held responsible,” he had said.

MKINI