Mahathir will keep his word on PM transition plan, says minister
Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad today expressed confidence that Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad will keep his promise to transfer power to PKR president Anwar Ibrahim within two years of last year's May polls.
The minister said, however, that cabinet will discuss the motion raised by a Bersatu delegate at its recently concluded annual general meeting for Mahathir to serve a full term.
"Like what Mahathir said, he has an agreement with Anwar...
Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad today expressed confidence that Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad will keep his promise to transfer power to PKR president Anwar Ibrahim within two years of last year's May polls.
The minister said, however, that cabinet will discuss the motion raised by a Bersatu delegate at its recently concluded annual general meeting for Mahathir to serve a full term.
"Like what Mahathir said, he has an agreement with Anwar.
"Mahathir will fulfil his promise, and as a Harapan leader who had witnessed the agreement made, I'm confident Mahathir will do as he says.
"There is no issue at all. When the time comes, we will see," he told reporters at a press conference after a walkabout in Cheras today.
Despite Mahathir's repeated assurances that he will keep his promise to hand over power to Anwar in two years, critics have continued to raise doubts over execution of the agreement reached prior to Harapan's election victory last May.
Dzulkefly further said that while Bersatu delegates have the right to express their opinions, there is a decision-making process within Harapan which must also be respected.
Being appropriate
Similarly, Dzulkefly declined to comment on Bersatu vice-president Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman's recent remarks regarding the use of government resources to retain power "by hook or by crook."
Describing the issue as an internal matter for the party, Dzulkefly maintained that Rashid has a right to his own opinion.
"There is this contestation of ideas in context of achieving certain policies within their party, so I do not want to comment whether it is right or wrong.
"In politics, it is always about what is appropriate, rather than what is right or wrong," he added.
Rashid's remarks drew ire from top leaders of the Harapan coalition, including DAP Youth chief Howard Lee, who strongly denounced Rashid's comments.
Two ministers also told Malaysiakini earlier today that the matter is also expected to be discussed in the first cabinet meeting for this year.
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