MB: GIVE DR M TIME TO CLEAN UP GOVT
He has a lot to do before he hands over reins to Anwar, says Mukhriz
TUN Dr Mahathir Mohamad must be given time to clean up the government administration before he hands over the reins to newly-minted member of parliament Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir said the prime minister had a lot on his plate to ensure the country’s future and people’s welfare were taken care of.
Hence, he said, all quarters must be patient and ensure the power transition that had been agreed upon by his father and Anwar could be carried out smoothly at the appropriate time.
“There is a lot of work to be done. Therefore, there must be enough space given to Dr Mahathir before a government free of problems can be handed over to Anwar.
“It may take two years. Maybe less, maybe more. I don’t know the time frame, but everyone must be patient,” he said at his office in Wisma Darul Aman here yesterday.
Dr Mahathir had said he would honour the agreement by the four partners of Pakatan Harapan to step down and hand over the country’s leadership to Anwar.
Anwar had said everyone should give Dr Mahathir the latitude and space to conduct the affairs of state without encumbrances or pressure.
In an interview recently, Anwar said he would focus on supporting initiatives towards parliamentary reforms and the running of the country once he was an MP.
Mukhriz, who is Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia deputy president, said Dr Mahathir took on the role of prime minister not “for fun”, but to rehabilitate an inherited government riddled with flaws.
He said Dr Mahathir revealed that when he became prime minister for the first time after Tun Hussein Onn, there were not many problems in the running of the country.
“The civil service then was working efficiently. The only thing that changed is the prime minister.
“He (Dr Mahathir) took over a well-oiled administration then. However, things are very different the second time round. Now, he has inherited a kleptocratic government and he needs to see who can cooperate and who’s trustworthy enough as he cleans up the administration.”
However, Mukhriz said, as the prime minister’s son, he could not hide his worries that Dr Mahathir’s age was catching up with him.
He said the people might see Dr Mahathir as a healthy and strong person, but only his family knew the daily rigours the latter goes through.
“Dr Mahathir keeps reminding himself that he is 93 and will be 95 in two years.
“That means he will retire at 95. And if he completes the five-year term, he will be 98. That is close to 100 years old.
“So looking at the situation, we should all help him strengthen and prepare a clean and efficient government for the next leader of the country.”
Mukhriz said PH’s victory in the Port Dickson by-election was a clear referendum of the people’s support for the government led by Dr Mahathir.
He said Anwar’s huge victory showed that whatever criticism the opposition hurled at the government had no traction among the people.
Instead, he said, the results showed that the people were throwing their support behind the government in greater numbers.
“The result was a referendum for PH. It marked the people’s support for the power transition plan promised by Dr Mahathir to Anwar. It shows the people support their partnership.”