Mukhriz: Let Dr M fix govt before handing over to successor

PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s successor should wait until he fixes the problems inherited from the previous government before he passes the baton, says Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia deputy president Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir.

Dr Mahathir should be given the opportunity to carry out reforms before Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim takes over, he said.

“We are planning for Anwar to be the heir apparent after Dr Mahathir as the eighth PM.

“Personally, I feel it is a good suggestion, as I have mentioned before. We have inherited a corrupt government, and to restore it is not an easy task,” said Mukhriz on the sidelines of the Bersatu annual general meeting yesterday.

The Kedah Mentri Besar was addressing calls during the meeting for Dr Mahathir to remain as Prime Minister until the next election.

Mukhriz said this does not conflict with the Pakatan Harapan agreement for Anwar to be the next Prime Minister.

“The timing is the issue,” he said, adding that Bersatu as part of Pakatan wanted to pass a government that is “totally intact” to Anwar.

Mukhriz said he realised his comments could be misconstrued because he i s Dr Mahathir’s son but added that the motion was good as the government needed time.

Dr Mahathir was expected to hand over the baton to Anwar, who is PKR president, after two years.

On a separate party matter, Mukhriz said Bersatu would not backtrack on its decision to set up a chapter in Sarawak.

“Sarawak is an opposition state so we have no qualms about entering Sarawak.

“The process of opening our party at the divisional level is one that will take a little bit more time.

“We can open one or two (divisions) first and register (interested people) as our members. As new divisions are established, they can be assigned to those areas where divisions are already formed,” he said.