PETALING JAYA: PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has urged members of his party as well as Pakatan Harapan to respect the decision taken by the coalition’s presidential council on Friday night.
The Port Dickson MP said he personally would not allow any of his party members to attack or condemn the decision that Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had been given full discretion when to step down as prime minister, which would be after the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Summit in November.
“I have instructed my party members to respect the decision. Right now, our focus is on the economy as well as the effects of the coronavirus outbreak.
“I urge that everyone respects this decision. I will not allow any PKR members to attack or condemn this decision but for the rest out there, that is beyond me,” he said after attending a function in Bangi yesterday.
When asked to comment on reports that there was tension during the meeting, with some members threatening to leave the Pakatan coalition, Anwar said tense situations were usual during meetings.
“If a meeting is democratic, there would be some tension, that’s normal ... I don’t think it is an issue.
“What is important is that no one questions the transition (after this), no one questions Dr Mahathir as the seventh prime minister and Anwar as the eighth prime minister,” he said.
“It is just that we will need to think of a suitable time and we leave that to Dr Mahathir’s wisdom.”
When asked about unhappy PKR members who planned to organise a street protest after Pakatan did not come up with a definitive date for the handover of power, Anwar said he had expected his party to act as one voice during the meeting, but it was not the case.
“Well, it doesn’t seem to work that way, but finally a consensus is agreed upon,” he said.
And they’re off: Dr Wan Azizah flagging off participants of the ‘Kayuhan Kasih Mesra’ programme at the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council Stadium. —Bernama
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said the government would focus on addressing problems and issues facing the country, especially the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak on the economy rather than on the power transition, reported Bernama.
She said the matter on the handing over of the prime minister’s post by Dr Mahathir to his successor had been agreed upon at the Pakatan presidential council meeting.
“We govern the country ... to rectify and improve (the situation) as much as we can.
“We will all focus on the impact of Covid-19 on the country. The issue on the power transition had been agreed upon and it was set after Apec,” she told reporters after flagging off participants of the Kayuhan Kasih Mesra Fun Ride yesterday.
Parti Amanah Negara communications director Khalid Abdul Samad said all leaders of the component parties unanimously agreed for Dr Mahathir to determine the date for the power transition, reported Bernama.
“What is important is that the Pakatan government continues to govern and administer the country well and bring benefits to the people.
“This is our struggle, not the struggle for any individual. It is to create a clean government that is responsible for its people,” said Khalid, who is the Federal Territories Minister.
Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the party respect the decision of the prime minister.
“We stand firm with our position to strengthen Muafakat Nasional,” he said when contacted.
Last September, Umno and PAS inked political cooperation with the signing of a joint charter.
When asked if Umno supports Dr Mahathir, Ahmad Zahid said: “That is PAS’ stand, not ours.”
