I won’t quit DPM post until Anwar takes over, says Wan Azizah

(FMT) – Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail today rejected calls for her to give up her post, saying her position was already agreed upon by Pakatan Harapan (PH).

“The issue does not arise. We have already promised that Dr Mahathir Mohamad would be the prime minister and I would be the deputy prime minister,” she was quoted as saying by Bernama during a cybersecurity conference here.

She was responding to a call from Selangor PPBM treasurer Mohd Shaid Rosli, who urged her to quit her Cabinet post before the promised handover of power to her husband Anwar Ibrahim takes place.

PH, the coalition made up of PKR, PPBM, DAP and Amanah, had said that Mahathir would be an interim prime minister before handing over the post to Anwar.

Mahathir has said he needs between two and two-and-half years before retiring.

Wan Azizah previously said she would remain as the deputy prime minister despite Anwar clearing his legal hurdles for re-entry into active politics.

The former PKR president today reiterated that she would only give up her post when her husband is ready to take over.

“So when Anwar becomes PM, I will step down, there is no issue,” she added.

This follows calls for Mahathir to set a clear time frame to hand over the premiership.