Reformasi veterans oppose 'Dr M as PM until next GE'
A group of Reformasi veterans has reiterated its call for Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad to pass the leadership baton to his designated successor Anwar Ibrahim in two years, as agreed prior to the general election.
The group, known as Otai Reformis, was commenting on a motion tabled during the Bersatu annual meeting last weekend urging its 93-year-old chairperson to remain as prime minister until the next general election.
“We vehemently oppose this Bersatu motion... That (five years) is a long time,” Otai Reformis secretary Abdul Razak Ismail told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today.
Though Mahathir has repeatedly given his assurance that he would step down for Anwar to become prime minister as promised, the Otai Reformis leader said many things could happen during this period.
“Politics is the art of all possibilities,” Abdul Razak added.
The Reformasi movement was born in 1998 after Mahathir, during his first tenure as prime minister, sacked Anwar as his deputy on the grounds of sexual misconduct.
Anwar, on the other hand, accused Mahathir and his associates of a political conspiracy against him.
Meanwhile, Otai Reformis chairperson Dr Idris Ahmad claimed that there are those who want to prevent Anwar from becoming the next prime minister.
“There are those who want to stop Anwar and it is possible there are those within PKR itself who want the position.
“Why are there suddenly comments like this?” he asked during the same press conference.
Although he did not mention names, it is believed Idris was referring to Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah who said there is no timeframe with regard to the transition of power between Mahathir and Anwar.
Idris also rebuked PKR deputy president Azmin Ali for openly criticising the appointment of central leadership council (MPP) members when it is the prerogative of Anwar as party president.
The Ijok assemblyperson claimed this has exposed the economic affairs minister's “true character”.
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