KUALA LUMPUR — Mr Anwar Ibrahim acknowledged on Monday (Oct 28) that there are “treacherous attempts” to stop him from replacing Dr Mahathir Mohamad and becoming Malaysia's next prime minister.

The People's Justice Party (PKR) president told the party’s Sabah convention that he would not be sidetracked by the problem, but would instead focus on strengthening the economy.

“Let us focus on the economy. I dislike people asking about the power transition but the problem is, there are a lot of disloyal people.

“For me, (the transition) is already agreed on. To say that I am impatient, I have waited for 20 years.

“There is no problem for me. If God says it will happen, it will happen,” said Mr Anwar, who is also Port Dickson MP. 

Mr Anwar did not name anyone behind the alleged attempts to stop him from becoming prime minister.

The Pakatan Harapan presidential council had unanimously agreed that Dr Mahathir would hand over the prime minister’s position to Mr Anwar, but no time frame was set for the succession.

Deputy PKR president Mohamed Azmin Ali had recently said that Dr Mahathir should complete his five-year term as PM, adding that there was no agreement on a power transition.

It was also reported that former Umno vice-president Hishammuddin Hussein had attempted to bring in 30 Barisan Nasional MPs to support Dr Mahathir, but the Sembrong MP had denied the claim.

On party matters, Mr Anwar said all PKR members must show support for candidates who have won in party elections.

He added that there was nothing abnormal about internal party disputes.

“When it is election time, contest as you may. We are open but we must then support the winner. We must, however, not get rid of those who lost.

“Differences in opinions are normal. In meetings, you want your voice to be heard, and that’s fine.

“I argue in meetings, we raise our voices, but after the meeting is over, there should be no ill feelings,” said Mr Anwar.

It was reported that Mr Anwar’s relationship with his deputy Mr Azmin had deteriorated after the party’s elections.

Several leaders alligned with Mr Azmin have also in recent months skipped important party meetings without valid reasons.

Both Mr Anwar and Mr Azmin recently downplayed their discord by sharing a light moment together in Parliament. THE MALAYSIAN INSIGHT