PM repeats his promise to go Opposition representatives voice support for him to stay

By ZAKIAH KOYA [email protected]

PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Tun Dr has continuously stressed that he will pass the baton to PKR president Datuk Seri , but Opposition representatives have allegedly met him to convince him to serve out his full term. The issue of whether the 94-year- old will step down mid-term resur­ faced recently after PAS president Datuk Seri pledged his party’s allegiance, To stay or go:Dr Mahathir stresses that he will pass the baton to Anwar while Hadi Awang warns that warning that “changing a prime changing a prime minister is not like changing shoes. minister is not like changing shoes”. A source claimed that a group of called to join the meeting by Dr PAS and GPS to state their support try, beyond political parties, to Opposition politicians met with Dr Mahathir, the source further said. for the Prime Minister to stay on for ensure that the rakyat does not suf­ Mahathir on Tuesday night (July 30) attempted to contact a a whole full term, and that they do fer from a political crisis midway if to pledge their full support for him number of the leaders to verify that not want Anwar to take over, be it Dr Mahathir is made to step down to complete his full term as premier. the meeting took place. It is believed after two years or three years - not before he is able to carry out his The bloc allegedly comprised that all of them have been told to to change horses mid-stream. plans,” said the source. members of the new Umno-PAS keep the meeting confidential. “They also showed Dr Mahathir Another source said that Dr pact and Gabungan Parti As at press time, one replied, “I that they have the numbers, of MPs Mahathir had actually met all indi­ (GPS). am not saying ‘no’,” another said supporting this - at present it is 128 viduals separately before, but A source privy to the three-hour “Yes” while a third said, “I won’t from all blocs. Tuesday was the first time they meeting said that the Opposition refute (it)”. None wanted to go on “More are intent on getting on came together to ensure everyone representatives met with Dr the record. board and they are now weighing was on the same page. Mahathir to convey to him that they This comes even after an inter­ their options,” claimed the source. The second source also said the want him to stay the full term and view with Turkish broadcaster TRT The Star sighted the list of MPs team was conveying sentiments of that no one takes over midway. World during his four-day working allegedly in support of Dr Mahathir the Opposition to assure Dr Mahathir “The meeting was held on Tuesday visit to the country on July 24, when staying on. that he could continue his work night to tell Dr Mahathir that he has Dr Mahathir said he would keep his Other than PKR and Umno, the without interruption, and not worry the Opposition’s full support until promise to hand over the reins. rest - Dr Mahathir's own Parti about stepping down midway. the next general election, and that “I have already agreed that when Pribumi Bersatu , as well “They want him to know they they do not agree with him handing I step down, he (Anwar) will take as GPS, Parti Warisan and have his back,” said this source. over the reins midway to Anwar or over from me as the Prime Minister. Parti Amanah Nasional - are almost Last Saturday (July 27), Abdul anyone else,” said the source. That is a promise I made and I will 100% in support of the Prime Hadi said the PAS-Umno alliance Umno, PAS and GPS altogether stay with that promise,” he told the Minister serving out his full term. was in favour of Dr Mahathir com­ have 77 seats in the . Turkish TV station. “DAP MPs have yet to make up pleting his full term as Prime The source claimed the GPS is a Sarawak-based political their mind,” said the source. Minister. Opposition leaders in attendance at alliance, formed by four former The source also said the team Two days later (July 29), PKR dep­ the meeting were former Umno parties after their proposed the appointment of a uty president Datuk Seri Azmin Ali vice-president and defence minister defeat in the last general election. It “more capable deputy prime minis­ issued a statement saying that he Datuk Seri , currently makes up the third largest ter or deputy prime ministers who agreed with the PAS president. PAS vice-president Datuk Seri Dr bloc in the Dewan Rakyat and forms can step in as premier immediately Pakatan has a succession plan for Samsuri Ahmad Mokhtar, PAS sec­ the Sarawak state government. if anything happens”. Anwar to take over the premiership retary-general Datuk Takiyuddin “Like it or not, Umno and PAS are The source further said that this from Dr Mahathir. Hassan and GPS chief whip Datuk still the biggest political parties in was not done to undermine anyone Although Anwar has implied that Fadillah Yusof. the country, although they are the personally. he will be Prime Minister two years A high-ranking Pakatan Harapan Opposition. “The team and Prime Minister after the general election, there is leader who is a Cabinet minister “The main agenda (for the agreed that this would be a meas­ no formal agreement as to when Dr was also present after having been Tuesday meeting) was for Umno, ure taken for the good of the coun­ Mahathir should step down.