'Cukuplah' – Azmin on PM post tussle between 'A' and 'B' since 1998

Azmin Ali has called for an end to the power struggle between his former bosses Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Anwar Ibrahim, which had been raging since 1998.

Back then, Azmin had followed Anwar to the streets to protest Mahathir's decision to sack him as the then number two during the nonagenarian's first tenure as prime minister.

Much has changed over the past two decades, which witnessed Azmin's ties with Anwar becoming strained to an irreparable point.

He then shifted his support to Mahathir when Pakatan Harapan governed the nation but 22 months later, played an instrumental role in orchestrating a political coup which led Perikatan Nasional (PN) to capture the administrative capital.

Speaking to reporters today, Azmin advised Harapan and its allies to put an end to the tussle as the coalition, which claimed to have the numbers to recapture Putrajaya, is locked in a stalemate on whether Mahathir or Anwar should be named as its prime minister candidate.

“Cukup-cukuplah (Enough),” he said. “Until now, the issue of who is to be named as PM candidate is not resolved.”

“...Since 1998, the people were dragged to the streets and into the political battle between these two individuals.

“If not 'A', it is 'B'. If not 'B', it is 'A',” added the senior minister when quizzed on the exodus of PKR leaders from the party, which he helped form.

Although he did not mention names, it was obvious that Azmin was referring to the current impasse in Harapan with regard to Mahathir and Anwar.

Elaborating, Azmin, who was the PKR deputy president prior to leaving with his allies in February, said members were appalled with the situation in the party, which comes at the expense of the people.

“When are we going to resolve the nation's problems?

“I think for at least the next three months, people (should) not ask 'who is the next PM?' Peace for three months.

“But if Harapan returns (to power) that would be the topic of discussion daily – 'I am (PM) number 9', 'I am 8' and 'I am 10',” he added, pointing out that such issues do not crop up in the PN administration. - Mkini