‘Long live Mahathir', Zuraida says in support of full term for PM
PKR vice-president Zuraida Kamaruddin today welcomed the idea of Dr Mahathir Mohamad serving as the prime minister for a full term, saying that she prays a "long life" for the Pakatan Harapan chairperson.
Speaking to members of the press this morning, the Housing and Local Government minister said Mahathir would need about five years to stabilise the country before handing over to his successor...
PKR vice-president Zuraida Kamaruddin today welcomed the idea of Dr Mahathir Mohamad serving as the prime minister for a full term, saying that she prays a "long life" for the Pakatan Harapan chairperson.
Speaking to members of the press this morning, the Housing and Local Government minister said Mahathir would need about five years to stabilise the country before handing over to his successor.
"I think for the sake of the nation, it needs him to be there for a full term. I would welcome it and I pray ‘long live Mahathir’," she said after officiating a community event (photo, above) in Taman Melawati, Kuala Lumpur.
"It is (about) continuity because we are worried that when he has managed to set the platform... let's say in these first two years, the continuity to stabilise (the country) would take about five years.
"When there is a handover after one full term, it would be easier because the system, the framework is there. (We) just go on from there," added Zuraida.
After PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang had voiced the opposition party's support for Mahathir serving the full term as prime minister, Zuraida is the second Pakatan Harapan leader to openly support the idea.
The first Harapan leader to openly welcome Hadi's statement was PKR deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali, who is also the Economic Affairs Minister.
The idea of Mahathir staying on for a full term was, however, in contrast of what Harapan leaders had agreed prior to them winning the 14th general election last year.
During its inaugural convention, Pakatan Harapan leaders had signed an agreement that Mahathir would be the 7th prime minister after which he should hand over the premiership to Anwar. The agreement, however, did not state a time frame for Mahathir to do so.
Since winning the May 9, 2018 elections, he has been waffling on the transition date, though repeatedly stating that he would hand over the reins to Anwar.
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