Don't drag me into this - KJ denies proposing debate on PM transition

Khairy Jamaluddin has denied submitting a private motion to debate the transition of power between Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and PKR president Anwar Ibrahim.

In a series of Instagram stories, the Rembau MP said the letterhead for his stationary is different from the one in the letter which is being circulated online.

"I have never used a letterhead with YB Tuan Khairy bla bla bla on top. That's just so crass.

"Please don't drag me into this back room intrigue surrounding the succession. I am not involved and have no interest in being involved," he added.

Khairy said the transition should be settled within Pakatan Harapan while he wanted to focus on policies that can assist Malaysians "who are now worse off under Harapan."

He said he issued a late clarification as he was currently travelling abroad.

Previously The Star had cited sources as confirming the letter as genuine. The letter, dated Nov 20, was addressed to Parliament secretary Roosme Hamzah.

"As the representative of Rembau Dewan Rakyat, I make the motion to debate the date of transition of his honourable prime minister to his honourable Port Dickson (Anwar)," read the letter.

Khairy said "Parliament accepted" the fake letter without verifying it with him.

However, Deputy Dewan Rakyat speaker Nga Kor Ming told Malaysiakini that the stamp used by Parliament to accept letter is different.

Malaysiakini has contacted Roosme and Dewan Rakyat speaker Ariff Md Yusoff for clarification.

Yesterday, Mahathir and Anwar met for 30 minutes where, among others, the transition of power issue was discussed.

Anwar later issued a statement that both of them remain committed to the succession plan.

“I informed that the power transition must be carried out in a peaceful and orderly manner, in a reasonable timeframe and obtain mutual understanding

“We also do not agree in the case of any effort to stray from the agreement or the use of my and the prime minister’s name in any scheme,” he said.

Pressure mounted on Mahathir following Pakatan Harapan's crushing defeat in last Saturday's Tanjung Piai by-election.

Calling it a referendum on his leadership, certain quarters urged Mahathir to expedite the transition of power to Anwar.

Although both Mahathir and Anwar have repeatedly assured that the transition plan would proceed as agreed, this, however, failed to douse the speculation that it might not materialise.

Speculation is rife that Anwar's estranged deputy in PKR, Azmin Ali, is also vying for the post and is Mahathir's preferred successor.

During yesterday's meeting, Anwar said the prime minister had also taken cognizance of the allegation that certain cabinet ministers are abusing their powers or giving out projects in exchange for political support.

The statement came in the wake of Azmin, who is also economic affairs minister, meeting with more than 20 Umno lawmakers at his residence in Putrajaya on Monday night.

The next day, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said he was informed that the meeting was to discuss channeling government projects to the Umno MPs' constituencies.

However, PKR central leadership committee member Kamarudin Jaffar, who was present at the meeting, said the discussion was on the future of the nation, the need for less politicking and more unity, as well as the shared prosperity vision. - Mkini