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Something may happen before Nov - Rais adds intrigue to transition plan
Published:  Feb 20, 2020 3:05 PM
Updated: 8:13 AM
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The Pakatan Harapan presidential council is expected to address the transition of power between Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and PKR president Anwar Ibrahim tomorrow.

However, Bersatu supreme council member Rais Yatim hinted that things might not proceed as planned.

Adding more intrigue to the protracted issue, he said: “Something may happen before November.”

Mahathir has repeatedly said he would step down after the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit in November.

Despite this, Rais noted how certain quarters were still pressuring the 94-year-old premier to set a specific date for his retirement.

"News about cornering Tun M (Mahathir) to give a definitive date of goodbye to his premiership is hounding all,” he tweeted this afternoon.

"By saying November 2020 seems not good enough to other PH (Harapan) prefects.

"Something may happen before November. The prefects may not know what hit them then. There are other powers and factors at work," he added.

Malaysiakini has contacted Rais in an attempt to seek further clarification regarding his remarks.

Recently, Mahathir said he would keep his promise to pass the baton to Anwar but pointed out that the Dewan Rakyat had the final word on who should helm the nation.

Some observers saw this as an indication that the PKR president did not possess the support of the members of the Lower House.

PAS is planning to table a vote of confidence when the Parliament sitting resumes next month for Mahathir to remain in office until his term expires.

There are also claims that MPs from both sides of the political divide, including Anwar's rivals in PKR, are signing a statutory declaration in support of Mahathir.

Anwar himself confirmed the existence of a plot to keep Mahathir in power but said the latter was not involved.

Two decades ago, Mahathir, during his first tenure as prime minister, had sacked Anwar as his deputy based on accusations of sexual misconduct and abuse of power.

Anwar, who claimed that the charges were fabricated, took to the streets in protest and ushered in the Reformasi movement, which laid the foundation for the formation of PKR and the now ruling Pakatan Harapan alliance.

Speaking at a forum last week, PKR's William Leong (photo) urged the people to ensure Anwar is not denied the premiership again.

The Selayang MP said the time has come to execute "Plan B" to ensure Anwar is made the next prime minister.

"The voice of the people is important. We want their views as it would pressure the government to get back on the right track.

"We have taken to the streets before. But I am not asking them to go to the ground, but we want that sort of determination," he added.

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