Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim – Bernama file photo
KUCHING: Parti Keadilan Rakyat’s (PKR) president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had appealed to Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad on behalf of the party and Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition not to step down from the premiership before the bombshell news was dropped.
“I did appeal to him on behalf of PKR and PH coalition and that this treachery could be dealt with together. But of course, he is of different mind and thought that it should not be treated in that manner,” said Anwar at PKR headquarters here after having an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah at Istana Negara.
At about 1pm today, Mahathir tendered his resignation letter as the country’s seventh Prime Minster to the palace.
“I was with him. I was informed but I could not…until he released it publicly,” he said, in responding to a question whether he was shocked by Dr Mahathir’s decision to resign.
When asked whether Dr Mahathir felt responsible for what happened in the country’s political scene since yesterday, Anwar said the former premier had reiterated that he did not play any part in the political crisis.
“No, it’s not him because his name was used. Those within my party and outside have been using his name….(he made it) very clear in no way will he work with those associate with the past regime,” said Anwar.
He said Dr Mahathir is having audience with the King and the developments will “go on from there” in relation to what lies ahead for the PH coalition.
On whether his wife will be become the first female acting Prime Minister of Malaysia, Anwar evaded the matter by reiterating that it best for Dr Mahathir to have his audience with the King first.
On his audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong earlier, Anwar told that the meeting with the King was to allow him to express his views on the current developments and seeking the King’s advice on the interest of the country’s peace and stability.
“We shall see,” smiled Anwar, when asked whether he remains the next-in-line to take the country’s top job, the second Prime Minister within three years of the PH coalition federal government.