Anwar definitely taking over from Mahathir in May 2020, Rayer tells PAS and Umno

(FMT) – DAP’s Jelutong MP RSN Rayer today hit out at the MPs from Umno and PAS who had voiced support for Dr Mahathir Mohamad completing the full five-year term as prime minister, saying there could be ulterior motives at play.

In a statement, he raised the possibility of a “sinister plot” to cause friction between Mahathir and his heir apparent Anwar Ibrahim.

“I also suspect that this declaration of support is intended to destabilise the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition by pitting Mahathir against Anwar and vice versa,” he said.

“We must remind ourselves that the transition of the position of prime minister has already been discussed and agreed between Mahathir and Anwar, and I am confident that when the time comes, there will be a smooth transition where Anwar will be the eighth prime minister.”

The Umno MPs – Mohd Shahran Abdullah (Paya Besar), Mastura Mohd Yazid (Kuala Kangsar), Ahmad Nazlan Idris (Jerantut), Adham Baba (Tenggara), Ismail Abdul Muttalib (Maran) and Abdul Rahman Mohamad (Lipis) – made their declaration of support for Mahathir in the Parliament lobby yesterday.

They said they backed the call by PKR deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali for Mahathir to remain in the top post, adding that the country would not benefit from a transition of power.

PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan meanwhile said in the Dewan Rakyat that “if anything happens”, Mahathir would have the support of all 18 MPs from the party.

However, Rayer said the PH coalition was formed before the 14th general election and would remain a formidable group “with or without the support of these Umno and PAS MPs”.

“My advice to these Umno and PAS MPs is: please mind your own business and don’t be busybodies.”