Dr M: I will decide when to step down

PUTRAJAYA: Pakatan Harapan has given Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad the mandate when to step down from the premiership after the Apec Summit.

This was decided by the presidential council which met till late last night. All heads of Pakatan political parties attended the meeting.

“I am proud that everyone has left it up to me to decide when I want to relinquish my post. I will decide.

“This decision was unanimous by all. So for tonight, there is no time, no date fixed, ” he said after chairing the presidential council meeting.

Dr Mahathir was asked if the sole decision given to him was a unanimous decision by the council members.

When asked, PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Dr Mahathir would continue governing the country.

“Our position is clear. We have no doubts. Our commitment is to see Dr Mahathir as prime minister to carry out his duties with full support.

“He will decide when the time is right. In fact, I am the one who suggested that Dr Mahathir be given the chance to lead....in the meantime I will just be patient, ” he said.

Hordes of pressmen had gathered at the meeting venue at the Perdana Leadership Foundation here as early as 6pm following talk that Pakatan would actually set a date for Dr Mahathir to step down as Prime Minister.

Dr Mahathir had repeatedly said that he would step down after Malaysia hosts the Apec Summit in November.

Prior to the 14th General Election, Pakatan had agreed that Dr Mahathir would be Prime Minister for two years before passing the baton to Anwar.

Despite Dr Mahathir’s assurance that he will relinquish his post after the Apec Summit, Anwar’s supporters want the two-year agreement to be honoured.

On Thursday, PKR’s veteran group Otai Reformist 1998 said it wants Anwar to become the prime minister in May.

Anwar recently stressed that there should be no pressure placed on him or Dr Mahathir on the issue of leadership transition.

Earlier, about 100 Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia youth members gathered outside the Perdana Leadership Foundation to express support for Dr Mahathir as Prime Minister.

The group cheered as Dr Mahathir’s entourage arrived at 8.27pm and chanted “Hidup Tun” (long live Tun).