Mahathir: I will go only after Apec meet
Published on: Wednesday, February 19, 2020
PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (pic) said he does not know if the date of power transition will be fixed at the Pakatan Harapan presidential council meeting on Friday (Jan 21). Dr Mahathir said nevertheless, he is committed to relinquishing the post as premier, as promised.
“I don’t know (if the issue will be raised). I have said that I am prepared to resign anytime when asked.
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“But my promise to resign remain, and whatever decision made (by the presidential council), I will only resign after Apec (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation),” he said.
Asked if he would raise the issue himself, Dr Mahathir said he would not.
“I’m going to be the chair,” he said.
Last week, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said during his meeting in Putrajaya, Dr Mahathir told him that he would relinquish his position as Prime Minister as promised. The PKR president also said that the power transition would be decided in the Pakatan presidential council meeting on Friday. Malaysia will host Apec in November.
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Meanwhile, Dr Mahathir defended the transfer of four Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) hotels to Ministry of Finance subsidiary Urusharta Jamaah Sdn Bhd (UJSB), saying some TH properties are not useful.
“Some of the properties are not useful, (they) cannot give returns,” he said.
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He added that the subsidiary should think of other ways to invest the money for more returns.
It was reported that according to a company circular posted by former PM Najib Razak, four hotels owned by the pilgrims management board would be closed in April.
The hotels are in Kota Kinabalu, Penang, Alor Setar and Kuala Terengganu.
Najib posted images of a company circular signed by Zulkeffli Ahmad, group managing director of TH Hotel and Residence Sdn Bhd, which owns and operates the hotels.
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TH, in a statement said the move to place the hotels under UJSB was part of the government’s restructuring plan for the struggling pilgrims fund.
It said the action was taken to fulfil a mandate to reduce government commitment.