Saifuddin: Dr M and Anwar to decide power transfer date

Prior to the general election, it was announced that Dr Mahathir Mohamad would hand over the leadership reins to Anwar Ibrahim after two years if the Pakatan Harapan coalition comes to power.

However, Harapan secretary-general Saifuddin Abdullah reiterated this afternoon that no official deadline was ever inked.

The foreign minister said Mahathir and Anwar would decide the appropriate time to pass the baton.

“[...] There is no timeline, in the agreement (between Harapan component parties) we did not state the timeline,” he told reporters in Putrajaya.

“And the reason we did not is because [...] we know Mahathir and Anwar understand the matter more than anyone else in Harapan and they will be able to decide,” he added.

Asked if this meant that Mahathir could remain as prime minister for the next five years, Saifuddin said Harapan has not discussed this matter.

“As I said, the reason we don't have a timeline in the agreement is because we respect the two leaders. Between them, they will know what is the best thing to do,” he added.

Saifuddin had earlier received a courtesy call from UK Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Jeremy Hunt. 

Yesterday, Anwar had tweeted about a meeting he had with Mahathir, saying that the latter had to be given space to lead the government “for the duration that we agreed upon” but did not specify further. 

In an interview with a Chinese daily on Monday, the prime minister reiterated that he would keep his promise to step down in "over two years". 

However, doubts about Harapan's succession plan continue to linger.

In the recently concluded Bersatu annual general assembly, delegates called for Mahathir to stay for a full term as prime minister. 

Give Dr M space to lead within 'agreed upon' duration - Anwar

'It's two years' - Anwar never said he wanted to be PM earlier, says Dr M

People yearning for unity between Mahathir and Anwar

Anwar is 'comfortable' he will succeed me, says Mahathir