Dr M: Meeting with Anwar was not on transition of power

KUALA LUMPUR: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad says there was no discussion on the issue of transition of power during his meeting with Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

The Prime Minister said the discussion with the PKR president yesterday only touched on routine matters.

“We only spoke about normal things. Nothing about that (succession issue),” Bernama quoted him as saying at a Hari Raya open house organised by Maju Holdings in Bandar Tasik Selatan here last night.

CNBC had earlier quoted Dr Mahathir as saying that his government needed three years to reduce Malaysia’s debt from 80% of the Gross Domestic Product to 54%.

Asked by the news anchor Tanvir Gill whether he would stay on in office to see out that goal, Dr Mahathir replied: “No, I will not go beyond three years.”

The CNBC interview was conducted in Bangkok on Saturday, where Dr Mahathir was attending the Asean Summit.

Asked by reporters last night if he meant he would stay in office for three years instead of two, Dr Mahathir said: “I did not say three years.

“I said I needed a period to rectify things.”

In a posting on his Facebook page, Anwar said their meeting in Putrajaya touched on several current issues, including the need to boost domestic and foreign investments in the country.

The issue of the power transition has been brought to the fore recently as no formal timeframe has been set for it to take place.

Yesterday, Anwar said the issue of transition should not interfere with the running of the country.

He reiterated that the Prime Minister should be given space to administer the country effectively. “I understand that, and Dr Mahathir also understands it too.

“For me, this is a non-issue.

“The matter was raised, so we commented on it.

“As far as I’m concerned, I’m satisfied,” the Port Dickson MP told reporters at a Finance Ministry event.

After chairing the PKR Central Committee meeting on Sunday, Anwar said he would continue to support Dr Mahathir’s leadership and his efforts to revive the economy, implement institutional reforms and protect the security of the nation.