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Responding to a set of questions sent by malaysiakini , Anwar said it is unlikely that Abdullah will make any major changes in the party when he takes over from Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad after Oct 23, 2003.
Asked if Abdullah, who is also Terengganu Umno chief, will give PAS a tougher time when he becomes the national chief, Anwar said PAS will face no serious threat.
"[We should] learn from Umno's experience in Kelantan. Despite massive funds, machinery and media [available to Umno], they were routed in the election," said Anwar.
To a question whether Abdullah is the best available candidate to take over, he said: "Undoubtedly, Abdullah is the safest bet to Dr Mahathir."
Based on his experience in Umno, Anwar said he expects a rough power-jostling among the vice-presidents who are vying to be Abdullah's deputy.
He however refused to speculate who among the vice-presidents should be given the No 2 post.
On the opposition's position, he said the 16-month power transition plan between Mahathir and Abdullah would not affect Barisan Alternatif, in particular Keadilan which is led by his wife Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
"The issue of Dr Mahathir's resignation is merely to deflect the criticisms against the leadership. For the next 15 months, we will have to deal with him," said Anwar who was sacked by Mahathir on Sept 2, 1998 on the ground of immorality.
He is now serving a 15-year jail sentence at the Sungai Buloh Prison in Selangor for four charges of corrupt practices and one of sodomy.
Political absurdity
Asked if Mahathir would back out from the transition plan, Anwar said the prime minister seemed more committed with his intention to resign this time.
"However, Dr Mahathir is known to change his mind," he added. He also reiterated his view that the transition period is too long and "borders on political absurdity".
"A serious resignation notice would have been imminent and decisive. The transition is unreasonably long and shows lack of confidence in the announced successor," he said.
On June 22, Mahathir shocked the nation when he announced that he was resigning from all posts in Umno and the BN, when delivering his closing speech at the Umno general assembly which was aired live on television.
However, an hour later, Abdullah announced that Mahathir retracted his resignation.
On June 25, Umno's supreme council announced that Mahathir would step down after chairing the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) meeting in October next year and Abdullah was named to take the helm soon after.
