Malaysia’s Mahathir Mohamad says ‘up to him’ when to let go of power, citing unanimous endorsement from Pakatan Harapan

No time frame for handing reins over to Anwar Ibrahim, prime minister says, adding that transition will take place after Apec summit in November
Mahathir, 94, was speaking after closed-door meeting of coalition’s four parties

Malaysia

Amy Chew

Published: 6:30am, 22 Feb 2020

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Malaysia’s Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said on Friday that it was up to him when – and whether – to let go of power, after he received a unanimous endorsement from his ruling Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition.

The veteran politician had previously pledged to hand over the reins to former Umno member and deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim under an agreement ahead of the country’s 2018 elections. No time frame was specified, but it was understood that the move would take place two to three years after Pakatan Harapan’s victory.

“The transition will take place after Apec, there is no time frame. It is up to me whether to let go [of power] or not. That was the trust given to me by the parties,” Mahathir said at a press conference late on Friday. The leader is expected to host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in November, his second time doing so.

“The agreement is that it is up to me when to resign,” he added.

Malaysian politician Anwar Ibrahim attends a symposium in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Mahathir, 94, was speaking after a closed-door meeting of the coalition’s four parties, including the People’s Justice Party (PKR), which Anwar set up after he was sacked by Mahathir and charged with sodomy and corruption in the 1990s.

PKR is the largest party in Pakatan Harapan and is a key component of its administration.

Asked whether the decision was unanimous, Mahathir said “yes”.

The announcement is likely to disappoint Anwar’s supporters, some of whom have repeatedly asked Mahathir to give a date for the handover. Mahathir had previously said it would be after the Apec meeting.

There has been speculation over possible attempts to sabotage Anwar’s chances of becoming prime minister.

Umno, PAS, Pakatan Harapan: in Malaysia, it’s hard to tell friend from foe

Whistle-blower website Sarawak Report has alleged that there was a plot to keep Mahathir in power and that MPs were asked to sign a statutory declaration in support of Mahathir.

Local media quoted Anwar as saying that Mahathir was not involved in this campaign but instead it was those from the United Malays National Organisation (Umno) and the Islamic Party of Malaysia (PAS), as well as a “handful” from PKR who were responsible.

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