PKR reps want PM transition in May 2020

Several PKR MPs have pushed for a firm date for the power transition from Dr Mahathir Mohamad to Anwar Ibrahim, proposing it to happen in May 2020.

Speaking at a forum titled “Should Malaysia wait until November for transition?” in Bangsar last night, Subang MP Wong Chen laid out his reasons for an earlier handover.

Economically, Wong said, the lack of a firm transition date has led investors to hold back their investments as they were unsure of the country’s short-term political future.

“If the PM can confirm a timeline of the handover, it will basically inject a lot of confidence into the local domestic players to finally invest in the country, to invest in Pakatan Harapan.

“From the economic front, there is a clear argument that we need to have clarity and certainty in the time of the transition, and the mood is the faster the better,” he told the audience.

In terms of government policies, Wong contended that having a transition as soon as possible would allow Anwar more time to roll out Harapan’s promised reforms.

Doing so would also lead to more political gains for the ruling coalition in the next general election, for the voters would have felt the benefits of the reforms by then.

“The point is that Harapan, in particular the presidential council, needs to decide now and have an open conversation with Mahathir and also Anwar about a firm transition date...

“For the sake of Harapan’s unity, the gentlemen’s agreement (on the transition) should be honoured by all parties and we should prepare for a May 2020 transition,” Wong said.

The issue of the handover of power from Mahathir to Anwar has been a constant source of speculation throughout the Harapan administration.

While he has repeatedly promised to hand over the premiership to Anwar, Mahathir has declined to commit to a date, only that he would do so after solving “major problems” facing the nation.

His latest indication on a time frame appears to be after Malaysia hosts the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Summit, which is scheduled to take place in November.

'Let's complete the healing of Malaysia'

Also present at the forum was Setiawangsa lawmaker Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.

Nik Nazmi explained that Harapan had not set a date for the transition prior to GE14 due to uncertainty over how long it would take for Anwar to receive a royal pardon should Harapan win and secure his release from prison.

“Yes, a date was not mentioned. Why? Because there were a few question marks. I remember people said the royals would not allow for Anwar to be pardoned so easily, so it will take time.

“Release is one thing, because that the government can do with the prison director, but a pardon is a thing that can only happen with the king,” he said.

Like Wong, Nik Nazmi proposed that Anwar takes over the post of prime minister in May 2020.

“Let’s make another historic transition by completing the healing of Malaysia.

“Twenty years have been lost in the rift between Mahathir and Anwar… (now is the time to) complete the transition from our seventh to eighth prime minister in May 2020,” Nik Nazmi said.

Chiming in was Tanjong Malim MP Chang Lih Kang, who said a May transition would allow the civil service enough time to adapt to the new leadership.

Meanwhile, forum organiser and Selayang MP William Leong opined that the PKR president must be the PM in time for the tabling of the 12th Malaysia Plan, which is expected to be done in the third quarter of this year.

“The 12th Malaysia Plan is important, covering 2020 to 2025.

“Anwar must be the person tabling the 12th Malaysia Plan because this is going to be the roadmap for his reforms as prime minister,” Leong said.

Architecture professor Tajuddin Rasdi was the sole non-politician speaker last night.

Unlike the rest, Tajuddin did not propose any transition date or PM candidate but said the next prime minister ought to be a person who could represent “all Malaysians”.

Wong, Nik Nazmi, Chang and Leong are understood to be aligned to Anwar in PKR. - Mkini