Confidence vote: No need to heed the nonsense from PAS, says Zaid

Kelantan DAP chief Zaid Ibrahim has branded PAS' bid to initiate a confidence vote for Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad as nonsense (karut) and said it did not warrant attention.

"There is no need to pay attention to PAS, It's nonsense. If we follow PAS' example, our democracy would be ruined.

"For example, today PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan claimed that the power transition goes against the Federal Constitution. Where did he learn that?

This is an internal Pakatan Harapan matter. If Harapan today decides on a teacher (to become prime minister) then that is their problem," Zaid (above) told journalists after handing out schooling aid at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Sultan Ismail in Kota Bharu today.

Harapan had in the last general election endorsed Mahathir as its leader on condition that he will hand over power to PKR president Anwar Ibrahim before the end of his term as prime minister. No specific date was set.

However, PAS is pushing for Mahathir to stay on for a full term and wants to initiate a vote of confidence.

Mahathir had indicated that he appreciated the support but pointed out that he is already the prime minister. 

Takiyuddin, while conceding that a confidence vote had never happened before, defended the plan, claiming that Mahathir's position was in doubt.

On Friday, Mahathir said there were people who wanted him to stay on as prime minister for another "22 years" but assured that he would leave after the conclusion of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit in Kuala Lumpur in November. 

Zaid said he hopes Harapan will resolve the details of the transition when it convenes on Feb 21.

"Whatever that is decided by Harapan has to be respected. There is no need for proposals from other nonsensical parties.

"But the decision needs to be made so that the people are not left in confusion," he said.

Anwar, when asked about a specific transition date yesterday, said he believed that it will be discussed during the Harapan presidential council meeting next week.  - Mkini