PETALING JAYA – A seasoned Singapore diplomat says it would be in the best interests of PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim to remain patient and not “rock the boat” over the transition of power from Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Kishore Mahbubani, who is also a professor of public policy at the National University of Singapore, said in an interview with Bloomberg that he foresees a degree of instability ahead, with parties jostling for positions.
He said no one had expected the outcome of the May 9 general election, and that both Mahathir and Anwar would have to adjust to working together again.
“If Anwar is patient, he will know eventually that he will be prime minister. It is not in his interest to rock the boat when the tide is in his favour.
“The reasons for working together are stronger than for fighting one another,” he added.
Kishore said if he were in Anwar’s shoes, he would be grateful to Mahathir as he could still be in jail if Mahathir had not won.
On Chinese investments and relations with Singapore, Kishore said he expected good relations to continue although there might be some renegotiations on specific projects.
He said he expected Mahathir to be more critical of the US than China, and that Beijing would be pragmatic in adjusting to the new government in Malaysia.
“I hope Malaysia will continue the cooperative projects initiated by former prime minister Najib Razak like the High Speed Rail (HSR) project, which is badly needed,” he said, adding that the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore air route is the busiest in the world.
“If Mahathir and Anwar are committed to giving Malaysia’s economy a big boost, then continuing cooperation with Singapore would be in Malaysia’s interest,” he told Bloomberg.
Earlier today, Mahathir said he might stay on as prime minister for “one or two years”, after earlier agreeing to step aside for Anwar. – FMT
A poster is circulating on social media calling on the people to gather at Padang Timur in Petaling Jaya tomorrow evening to celebrate the release of Anwar Ibrahim.
Anwar, who is expected to be granted a royal pardon tomorrow, is scheduled to make an appearance at 10pm. He would then address the audience at 10.45pm.
“Come in droves to celebrate Anwar’s release with the clarion call of Reformasi,” stated the poster, who urged the people to dress in light blue attire, which is the official colour of PKR.
The top leaders of Pakatan Harapan are also expected to be present at the event. However, it is unclear if Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad would be among them.
On Feb 10, 2015, the Federal Court upheld the Court of Appeal’s decision to acquit Anwar of a sodomy charge.
The apex court also upheld his five-year prison sentence.
Anwar has maintained that the charge, similar to the one against him in 1999 when Dr Mahathir Mohamad was prime minister, was fabricated.
Prior to Pakatan Harapan winning the 14th general election, Mahathir had repeatedly stressed that a royal pardon would be secured for his former nemesis.
The pardon would allow Anwar to return to active politics with immediate effect.
Mahathir has also promised to hand over the leadership reins to Anwar in the next two or three years.
After several delays and conflicting statements which raised questions and ignited speculation, it was announced that the Pardons Board would meet tomorrow to decide on Anwar’s status.
The former opposition leader is now at the Cheras Rehabilitation Hospital in Kuala Lumpur where he is recovering from a shoulder operation.
– M’kini
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