Mahathir isn’t willing to set a specific timeframe for his departure as Prime Minister and has more or less told groups like Otai Reformasi to go fly kites.
He was holding back when explaining the 1997 financial crisis and hinted that Anwar is incapable of handling a crisis situation.
Mahathir noted how he had to cut short a vacation and rush home despite having given the task of running government to Anwar.
This is the clearest indicator yet that the Prime Minister does not believe Anwar has the capacity or the capability to manage the country’s economy.
PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has, for the umpteenth time, reiterated that he will step down as Prime Minister when the time is right and hand over the post to Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
According to a report by the Malay Mail Online, Mahathir was asked by host Haslinda Amin during an interview at the 5th Bloomberg Asean Business Summit in Bangkok if he felt Anwar was ready to take on the role.
“It’s not an issue of whether he is ready or not, I made a promise and I will keep my promise,” said Dr Mahathir.
Haslinda: So it will happen within two years?
Dr Mahathir: Time is not very specific.
Haslinda: Were you reluctant to put a timeframe to it?
Dr Mahathir: Because there may be something I need to do before I step down.
Haslinda: What still needs to be done before you pass the power?
Dr Mahathir: You know, in 1997 there was this financial crisis. I was on holiday in UK that time. Anwar was acting PM but because of the financial crisis I had to return, take over and handle the problem. So if something like that happens I need to stay on. But preferably I will step down.
Haslinda: Do you trust Anwar Ibrahim?
Dr Mahathir: It’s not a question of trust.
Haslinda: Do you trust Anwar Ibrahim?
Dr Mahathir: I made that promise knowing my affiliations with him was not always that good but the fact is that I made this promise and I will stick to this promise.
The back and forth says two things:
1. Mahathir isn’t willing to set a specific timeframe for his departure as requested by Anwar’s supporters and has more or less told groups like Otai Reformasi to go fly kites.
2. The Prime Minister was holding back when explaining the 1997 financial crisis and hinted that Anwar is incapable of handling a crisis situation.
On the second point, Mahathir noted how he had to cut short a vacation and rush home despite having given the task of running government to Anwar.
This is the clearest indicator yet that the Prime Minister does not believe Anwar has the capacity or the capability to manage the country’s economy.
During the 1997 crisis, Anwar, then Minister of Finance, supported the International Monetary Fund (IMF) much to Mahathir’s chagrin and cut government spending, ministerial salaries and deferred a number of the latter’s ‘pet projects’ despite being told not to do so.
But none of these compared to a decision by Anwar to deny a loan package that was very much needed by one of Mahathir’s sons to bail out an ailing company of his.
Due to that experience, it is highly unlikely that Mahathir believes Anwar will leave him or his children in peace should the latter become Prime Minister.
THE THIRD FORCE
