Anwar ‘gitu-gitu’ statement on power transition from ‘gini-gini’ PM

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 22 – PKR President Anwar Ibrahim has today issued a statement urging everyone in the ruling party Pakatan Harapan (PH) to stop discussing power transition from Prime Minister (PM) Mahathir Mohamad and to respect the consensus made in January 2018.

“I have given a guarantee to support Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in his effort to lead the country especially in strengthening the economy,” Anwar said in his statement.

He also said that PH and the PM have reiterated repeatedly the commitment to ensure the power transition will be done as agreed.

“It is therefore reasonable for us to respect the decision so that it will happen peacefully and orderly.” he said.

But it was Anwar who has been talking about the power transition

In June 2019, BERNAMA reported Anwar saying “As far as I’m concerned it is a done deal,” in relation to the power transition.

In July 2019, Anwar talked about how PH policies will remain when he becomes the Prime Minister.

In August 2019, he urged his party members and leaders to refrain from making statements urging Dr Mahathir Mohamad to step down as prime minister. This after his own party MP Hassan Karim called for Mahathir to step down.

In September 2019, it was Anwar himself when asked by Bloomberg if he will succeed from Mahathir in May 2020, who insinuated that he expects to be Prime Minister around that time.

In October 2019, Anwar said the PM power transition is not a pressing matter.

“I do not think this (power transition) is so urgent. I think we should give our cooperation and support to the government to focus on economic development and further accelerate the country’s economic growth, which is so pressing,” Anwar said, according to BERNAMA.

The Star reported November 2019 that Anwar tweeted about his meeting with Mahathir and that he informed the PM that the issue of the transition of power must be done peacefully and orderly in a reasonable period and with mutual agreement.

Anwar seems to have repeated the same today, in his statement.

In December 2019, Anwar seemed quiet on the issue of power transition but this was likely due to him being busy being on the defensive against allegation of sexual misconduct from one Yusoff Rawther.

Anwar’s party leaders such as Azmin Ali and Tian Chua took turns to tell him to stop talking about becoming Prime Minister.

In January 2020, the new year seems to have brought renewed passion about becoming Prime Minister. He told his supporters to leave the power transition to the Presidential Council of Pakatan Harapan.

It seems to us Anwar has been talking about the power transition issue almost every month. And that only allegations of sexual misconduct would stop him from talking about becoming the Prime Minister.

We wonder if Anwar’s statement today will stop his supporters from questioning the PM on the matter, or will it even stop himself at it.

–NMT