Let Dr Mahathir finish his job before he steps down — Abdul Rashid

KOTA BHARU: DAP veteran leader Lim Kit Siang should not dispute the length of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s term as prime minister, said Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) vicepresident Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman.

He said Lim should not issue a statement to sound as if Dr Mahathir is not willing to step down as prime minister.

“We can see that Dr Mahathir is still capable and has his own vision of setting the country to recovery, so there is no need for other leaders to interfere by issuing such a statement. Moreover Dr Mahathir had often said that when the time comes, he will step down and I am confident he will do so, but for now, as long as he is still capable and as long as he has the support of the people, he will continue to be the prime minister,” he said.

He said this to reporters after presenting tithes to 311 recipients at a zakat presentation ceremony organised by Kota Bharu Bersatu Economic Bureau and Koperasi Wawasan Malaysia Berhad (Kowamas) here yesterday.

Abdul Rashid was commenting on Lim’s statement saying that he was prepared to step down from politics and would not contest in the 15th general election (GE15) if Dr Mahathir fails to honour his word to hand over the premiership to PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He also expressed confidence that Anwar would be able to continue Dr Mahathir’s legacy after taking over the position.

Abdul Rashid also advised leaders of Pakatan Harapan (PH) component parties not to issue statements that could offend parties within the coalition.