Anwar: I'll wait my turn, no intention of joining cabinet

Anwar Ibrahim said he has no intention of becoming a member of Prime Minister Dr Mahathir's cabinet at present amid speculation of a reshuffle.

Speaking to reporters in Kuala Lumpur this afternoon, the PKR president said he would wait for his turn to become prime minister.

“I am bound by the (Pakatan Harapan) consensus. I never intended to join the cabinet.

“This is because the consensus in Harapan is (Mahathir) as prime minister and (Dr) Wan Azizah (Wan Ismail) as deputy prime minister until it is my turn,” he added.

Anwar was commenting on Mahathir's statement yesterday that since none of the ministers wanted to resign, there is no vacancy for the PKR president.

Previously, Mahathir had dismissed the speculation that a reshuffle would see certain ministers' heads roll but indicated that there could be changes to portfolios.

Meanwhile, on a separate matter, Anwar, who heads the Parliamentary caucus on reforms and governance, said they had agreed to discuss the issue of poverty in the country.

He said the caucus would hold a special session chaired by Jeli MP Mustapa Mohamed, and invitations will be extended to all MPs and senators, as well as NGO leaders, academic, and grassroots representatives.

The session will be held before the next Dewan Rakyat sitting in October.

On Aug 24, UN special rapporteur Philip Alston said Malaysia's poverty line of RM980 per household, which translates to a poverty rate of 0.4 percent, was unrealistically low.

Following this, Mahathir said there was a need to relook the poverty line. - Mkini