Easier to take over as PM when govt is stable, says Anwar

PKR president Anwar Ibrahim at a dinner organised by Kuala Langat PKR last night.

KUALA LANGAT: Prime minister-in-waiting Anwar Ibrahim says he is supporting the leadership of Dr Mahathir Mohamad as it will be easier to take over the country’s reins when the government is more stable.

The PKR president, who is expected to succeed Mahathir as prime minister, said he supports the veteran statesman in helping the country recover from problems inherited from the previous administration.

“This is because the person who replaced Najib Razak has the experience (to administer a country). He knows how to steer a new ship through choppy waters.

“I will support so that the ship becomes stable, so that when I take over, it will be easier. This is why PKR must give support to Mahathir,” he said at a dinner organised by Kuala Langat PKR here last night.

This comes days after the Port Dickson MP said he would not take up the position of finance minister if offered the role now, as the country is in dire financial straits.

On a separate note, Anwar said Najib’s court cases are proceeding slowly as the country is adhering to the rule of law.

“We have to follow the process,” he said when comparing the pace of his own trials to that of the former Umno president.

Anwar, who was deputy prime minister during Mahathir’s first stint as prime minister, was convicted of corruption in 1999. He was also found guilty of sodomising his former aide in 2008.

He was freed from jail after Pakatan Harapan won the 14th general election last year, following a royal pardon granted by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. - FMT