The maestro of subtle shade, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, is opening a few patio umbrellas, and offering seats.
Speaking to Channel News Asia, he told the Singaporean outlet that while Pakatan Harapan’s de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim had the right to comment on government policies as a citizen, he’s “not in the government.”
“Generally, once we agree on something in the cabinet, we stick to that decision … Others who are not in the cabinet may make their own comments. They can say what they like. But, we are the government.”
In other words, pretty much making Anwar the equivalent of a football roundtable conversation over World Cup squads from down the pub: Informed, but ultimately having limited effects on what will actually transpire. CRUNCH.
Anwar was released from prison following the victory of the Pakatan Harapan coalition in the 14th General Election. He was quickly granted a pardon for his previous sodomy convictions, dating back to 1998, whose charges first came to light under Mahathir’s previous tenure.
An occasional critic of government policies, he has been the sole guest on the local cable news show AI on Astro Awani. Making no efforts to soften his words, in one episode he urged Malaysia’s Fiannce Minsiter Lim Guan Eng to exercise caution when exposing the financial scandals that surrounded the former administration. He argued that it could rock foreign investor confidence in the country.
Harapan’s power structure has become greyed since the landmark election: Previously Anwar had been the coalition’s de facto leader from jail, while Mahathir was the group’s chairperson.
In the weeks following their victory, it appears that the party has shifted full executive power in Mahathir, while Anwar technically remains aptly “not in the government.”
Previously, it had been announced that power would be handed over from Mahathir to Anwar mid-term, yet no solid date for this has been announced.
