Dr M: Selangor post to pave way for Anwar to be PM
(MM) – Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is using the Kajang by-election as a stepping stone to become the next Selangor mentri besar and eventually prime minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today.
The former prime minister added that he feared for the country if Anwar were to achieve his goal, claiming Malaysians would no longer be safe as the PKR de facto chief would believe himself above the law.
“It is more important to get the votes, to win, and to become the mentri besar, eventually to be the prime minister,” the 88-year-old said of his former protege-turned-political challenger.
“This is an obsession, he will do anything,” he added.
Dr Mahathir, who was in office for 22 years from 1981 to 2003, told reporters that he did not believe his former deputy was qualified to lead Malaysia’s richest state.
“He founded a party just to become the prime minister, not to fight for race, religion, country.
“He thinks that as prime minister, probably he’ll be above the law,” he said.
Dr Mahathir urged the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition to nip Anwar’s ambitions by contesting the Kajang by-election, although he added that the candidate did not have to be from its biggest party, Umno.
MCA vice-president Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun has since been tipped to win the party’s nod to represent BN.
Head of the Malaysian Indian United Party, Senator Datuk K. S. Nallakaruppan has also offered to contest the Kajang by-election as the sole candidate for BN.
Anwar had announced he would run in the Kajang by-election next month, which was vacated by party member Lee Chin Cheh ostensibly to pave the way for the PKR de facto chief to become Selangor mentri besar.
PKR had said while it is not set in stone, winning the seat will allow the party to replace current Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim with Anwar “if the need arises”.
The Election Commission has set March 23 as the date for the Kajang by-election, giving all parties 12 days to canvass for votes after nomination day on March 11.
