Responding to Financial Times correspondent Stefania Palma in an interview last weekend during the Asean Summit, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad affirmed that Anwar would succeed him when asked if “it still is the case.”
“Yes it is, it is a promise that I made,” the 94 year-old statesman said.
However, when asked to address theories that he did not plan to retire, this is what he said:
“I’ve made many mistakes in appointing my successors, so I don’t want to make another mistake this time.”
PETALING JAYA: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad negotiated the issue of succession with muddling perplexity when asked if Anwar Ibrahim would succeed him as Prime Minister.
Responding to Financial Times correspondent Stefania Palma in an interview last weekend during the Asean Summit, Mahathir affirmed that Anwar would succeed him when asked if “it still is the case.”
“Yes it is, it is a promise that I made,” the 94 year-old statesman said.
However, when asked to address theories that he did not plan to retire, this is what he said:
“I’ve made many mistakes in appointing my successors, so I don’t want to make another mistake this time.”
Then, when asked if he would leave his post in 2020, he replied:
“No. There was no actual date or time mentioned. But the actual time that I will be there depends on the problems that we face.
“I’ve had some experience solving financial problems so they want me to solve the problems before I step down.”
Put together, it reads, “yes, Anwar will succeed me as of now, but then, I’m not retiring in 2020.
“When the time comes, I have to make a careful consideration as I don’t want to make another mistake. I may not even step down at all.”
This is what the mainstream media seems to be missing.
RJ RITHAUDEEN
