“Kit Siang is implying that Mahathir is unwilling to step down” – Bersatu vice-president

The argument between DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang and UMNO acting president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan on whether Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will be the next Prime Minister has caught the attention of Bersatu vice-president Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman.

He told Kit Siang to let Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad finish his job. The Bersatu vice-president added that Tun Mahathir will step down as Prime Minister when the time is right, hence Kit Siang should not question the length of his term as the premier.

Previously, Kit Siang said that he will quit politics if Tun Mahathir dissolves the parliament instead of electing Anwar as his successor. The statement was made by the DAP veteran during his challenge to the UMNO acting president.

However, Abdul Rashid did not take Kit Siang’s statement lightly, saying that the latter is implying that Tun Mahathir is unwilling to step down.

On the contrary, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Ismail (who is also the wife of Anwar Ibrahim) defended Kit Siang.

She said whether Anwar becomes the eighth Prime Minister or not, Kit Siang needs to be with Pakatan Harapan. The Women, Family and Community Development Minister also said that the transition of power from Tun Mahathir to Anwar is up to PH leaders.

Nevertheless, the head of state has the absolute power in appointing a Prime Minister according to the Westminster system. In Malaysia, it is the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.