Insecure lower-level leaders cause of transition polemics - Mahathir Rais

The polemics surrounding the transition of power from Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad to PKR president Anwar Ibrahim is only the manifestation of some insecure followers, a Bersatu Youth exco member said.

According to Mahathir Mohd Rais, there was no issue of distrust among Pakatan Harapan top leaders regarding the transition that has been agreed.

"The main code in politics is the ethics, and if this code of ethics is not practised, there would be no end to the power transition polemics.

"The parties working hard to play up this issue should have been more focused on the efforts to strengthen Harapan from within. This is what they should do, instead of barking loudly like thunders in the sky through social media.

"At the same time, this less intelligent action was akin to giving incentives to the media. We all know that the role of the media in politics is very important, where all news would surely get to every corner of the world.

"(So), do we choose to have our party's capabilities labelled through these provocations in the media? The answer is in your hands.

"It is a fact that there is no such thing as distrust among the top leadership about this power transition process, only one or two ‘langau' (bluebottle flies) who have no patience and are afraid of their own shadows. This fear of losing grip on power only comes from those below and not those at the top," Mahathir said in a statement.

He added that the polemics would continue to affect Harapan if the coalition allows those who are doing it to continue and it will lead to internal disunity.

While Mahathir's statement did not specify any names, it is believed that he was training his aim at several Harapan leaders who had recently contributed to rising calls urging the prime minister to pass the baton to Anwar soon. - Mkini