“No vacancy” for Anwar in my Cabinet for now: PM Mahathir

There are currently no vacancies in the Cabinet, Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad said on Thursday (August 29).

His statement came in response to queries on when prime minister-in-waiting Anwar Ibrahim will join the Pakatan Harapan coalition government.

“We are not having any change or any increase in the number of members of the Cabinet,” Dr Mahathir told reporters after chairing a party Supreme Council meeting, according to a CNA report.

“Since nobody has indicated they want to resign, we have no vacancy,” he added, saying, “If we have a vacancy, we will consider suitable candidates”.

While Dr Mahathir was appointed as prime minister, it was agreed that Mr Anwar, who was still in prison until a royal pardon was granted on May 16, 2018, would eventually take over.

In May, Mahathir reiterated that while Anwar would be the one to succeed him, no time frame had been given for the transfer of power.

Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) had said that the agreement was for Anwar to take over in two years’ time, but others including Dr Mahathir’s own son Mr Mukhriz Mahathir, also emphasised upon the lack of a fixed timeline.

Dr Mahathir, who turned 94 last month, has repeatedly maintained that he will adhere to the succession plan but has not taken any step forward to start the chain of progression.

In June this year, Dr Mahathir said he would not serve beyond three years. /TISG