Group may hold street protest if Anwar is not PM by May

Abdul Razak Ismail

KLANG: PKR's veteran group Otai Reformis 1998 may consider taking to the streets if party president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim does not become the prime minister in May this year.

Its secretary Abdul Razak Ismail there should not be any more delays.

"The agreement was for Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammad to be prime minister for two years.

"This agreement must be honoured," he said, adding if there were more postponements, Dr Mahathir could reach a full term in office.

He said Otai Reformis 1998 was preparing a memorandum to be presented to Pakatan Harapan component parties during the presidential council meeting this Friday (Feb 21).

"The memorandum will ask for the earlier agreed time of May this year to be honoured.

"We will also ask them for a fixed date for the transition, which cannot be changed," he added.

According to Abdul Razak, Otai Reformis 1998 also wants Dr Mahathir to sign a document saying when he will hand over the reins to Anwar.

"We want something in black and white where he will clearly state the handover details," he said.

In a statement on Thursday (Feb 20) Selangor PKR's Youth wing also called for a concrete date set for the power transition.

Its communication director Mohd Khairool Ngadon said this was the decision made during a meeting on Wednesday (Feb 19) chaired by Selangor PKR youth chief Mohd Najwan Halimi.

"The Pakatan presidential council which will meet on Feb 21 is urged to set a specific date for the transition of position between Dr Mahathir and Anwar," said Mohd Khairool.

He added this was necessary given that there were attempts – both internally and externally – to create an uncertain political situation.

Initially after the 2018 General Election, it was agreed that Dr Mahathir would make way for Anwar after two years.

However, Dr Mahathir has requested to remain until the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit in Nov this year.

PAS has also said it will be tabling a motion of confidence in Parliament to push for Dr Mahathir to complete the full term until the next general election.

There is also talk that PAS' plan is being supported by some MPs from both the Government and Opposition sides.