Stalemate over PM candidate: Is Dr M seeking an honourable exit?

In the last general election, Dr Mahathir Mohamad did the impossible.

He led Pakatan Harapan, comprising his former political nemeses, to defeat a six-decade-old government, which he spearheaded for 22 years, and became prime minister for the second time at the age of 93.

Twenty-two months later, Mahathir resigned amid a political coup and the Harapan government collapsed. His attempt to construct a unity government from the rubble failed when the plan was rejected by both sides of the divide.

The Perikatan Nasional government, which includes Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin's faction of Bersatu, Umno, BN, PAS and supported by Sarawak's GPS, is clinging on to power with a fragile two-seat advantage.

Whereas Harapan, Mahathir and Sabah's Warisan, dubbed as Pakatan Harapan Plus, claim to have the numbers to tilt the balance of power again, suggesting the nation could be on the brink of witnessing a counter political coup.

However, there is one issue that needs to be ironed out before Harapan Plus can put its plan into motion – who would be its prime minister candidate?

Would it be Mahathir for the third time, at the age of 95, or Anwar Ibrahim, 72, who has had one foot in the door for more than two decades?

Following the high-powered Harapan Plus meeting on Tuesday, Bersatu's Marzuki Yahya, who is aligned to Mahathir, claimed that a consensus was reached on the prime minister candidate.

But a joint statement later said decisions, on matters unspecified, would be finalised by the end of this week.

Sources claimed that Mahathir still wants to be prime minister again, although for a brief period, whereas Anwar is not willing to concede.

One political observer speculated that Mahathir could be seeking an “honourable exit” after the nonagenarian, often regarded as a master in statecraft, was outwitted by Muhyiddin (below).

“Mahathir's bid to become PM again could be a face-saving measure. He is accustomed to ending illustrious political careers and not having someone end his.

“Muhyiddin had outfoxed the grand old fox of Malaysian politics. This is a bitter pill for Mahathir and he is perhaps seeking to add Muhyiddin's scalp to his impressive collection.

“Mahathir would prefer to be at the forefront when PN falls and not to be relegated to the back row and witness someone else, especially Anwar, basking in the limelight.

“Mahathir would want to leave the political stage on his own terms, even if it means he is PM for just a few months, as opposed to having the terms of his exit dictated to him,” the political observer added.

However, the observer said, Anwar, who is no stranger to Mahathir's political manipulations, is well aware that a few months is a long time in politics and the situation can change.

“Anwar was struck out twice with regard to becoming PM. He would not want a third strikeout, which would cement his legacy as the premier-in-waiting for life,” he added.

There is also a likelihood that Mahathir and Anwar could reach a compromise vis-a-vis securing a political future for the nonagenarian's political heir Mukhriz (above).

Without this father's clout, Mukhriz would find it difficult to survive and Mahathir would want some assurance that his son would not be sidelined.

One of the speculations making the rounds is that Mukhriz could be made deputy prime minister, in exchange for Mahathir's support for Anwar to become prime minister.

When this question was put to Anwar during an interview with Malaysiakini yesterday, he did not reject the possibility of such an arrangement.

“People give all sorts of suggestions and we must give due consideration (to them). But finally, it is an issue of the level of support one has and competence,” Anwar replied. - Mkini

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