Like Harapan, Dr M keeps his promises - Guan Eng on 'full-term' poser

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, similar to the Pakatan Harapan administration, keeps his promises, according to Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng.

This was the DAP secretary-general's response when asked if he agreed with Economic Affairs Minister Azmin Ali that the 94-year-old leader should continue serving as premier until the end of his term, since in his speech earlier, Lim said the nation's economy is strong due to political stability.

“As I mentioned in my speech (earlier), from an economic aspect, we are confident that the set targets can be achieved... The political situation is stable and there should not be uncertainties regarding this.

“We are a government which keeps its promises. The prime minister has also repeatedly mentioned that he is someone who keeps his promises just like the Harapan government,” he told reporters in Kuala Lumpur this afternoon.

Last week, Mahathir reiterated that he would hand over the leadership reins as promised “unless a gun is held to his head” to continue until the end of the term.

Mahathir had also met with opposition leaders from Umno, PAS and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) in Putrajaya last Tuesday night, reportedly over his tenure as prime minister.

Those present were former Umno vice-president Hishammuddin Hussein, PAS vice-president Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar and secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan, as well as GPS chief whip Fadillah Yusof.

However, the premier was tight-lipped on whether Azmin was present. The latter subsequently claimed to be in the dark over the meeting.

Speculation has been rife that Mahathir preferred Azmin to succeed him despite an earlier consensus among Pakatan Harapan parties that he would pass the baton to PKR president Anwar Ibrahim.

Prior to the election, it was reported that Mahathir would step down after two years in power, but the timeline has since been revised.

Umno and PAS started the ball rolling in supporting Mahathir to serve for the full term, which was endorsed by Azmin on the grounds of ensuring stability. - Mkini