There was no Pakatan agreement on Dr M’s tenure, claims Saifuddin

KUANTAN (Bernama): Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s term as an interim prime minister has never been discussed at the Pakatan Harapan (PH) presidential council's meeting, says its secretary-general Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah.

Saifuddin, who is also Foreign Minister, said Pakatan only made the decision that Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim would be appointed to the post after Dr Mahathir.

“Pakatan only made the decision and agreed that after Tun M (Dr Mahathir), Anwar will be the next prime minister – we didn't discuss the rest as they understand each other.

“They both (Dr Mahathir and Anwar) should be able to determine the best time for transfer of power and so on,” he said on Tuesday when asked whether there was a concrete agreement for Dr Mahathir as an interim prime minister for only two years.

Saifuddin, who is also Indera Mahkota MP, was met by reporters after attending a motivational workshop on Form Six students at the Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Astana here.

The issue of transfer of power was brought up by several delegates at the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia annual general assembly over the weekend, who suggested that Dr Mahathir be allowed one full term.

Meanwhile, commenting on the Cameron Highlands parliamentary by-election, Saifuddin said the decision on which party to contest would be made at a Pakatan presidential council meeting on Friday (Jan 4).

He said that Pakatan would normally allow the same party to contest and for the Cameron Highlands by-election, the seat was previously contested by DAP.

At the same time, Saifuddin said, there was no request from other component parties to contest for the seat.

The Cameron Highlands by-election was called after the Election Court declared that the results in the Cameron highlands parliamentary constituency was null and void, ruling that corrupt practices were committed to garner votes.

Nomination for the Cameron Highlands by-election is on Jan 12 while polling day will be on Jan 26. – Bernama