Only time will tell whether the 15-month power transition plan can work satisfactorily –  whether it will result in two Prime Ministers and two Finance Ministers or without a proper Prime Minister and Finance Minister


Media Statement
by Lim Kit Siang

(Petaling Jaya,  Tuesday): Only time will tell whether the 15-month power transition plan for Datuk Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamad to finally step down as Prime Minister and hand over the reins of office to Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi can work satisfactorily – or whether it will result in two Prime Ministers and two Finance Ministers or without a proper Prime Minister and Finance Minister for 15 months. 

With Mahathir going on leave for two months after his current 10-day Mediteranean leave, and at the pace of his overseas trips (he made 16 overseas trips in the first six months of this  year  before the UMNO General Assembly), it is likely that Mahathir will be out of the country for more than half of the 15-month transition period. 

The only difference is that Abdullah will be the Acting Prime Minister whenever Mahathir is out of the country. 

The power transition plan raises many questions – the main one being whether it would be more satisfactory for a full and neat transfer of the Prime Minister’s office and powers  from Mahathir to Abdullah as Mahathir has decided to resign  as head of government.  Malaysians will have to find answers to this question for the next 15 months as well as after. 

However, the other question uppermost in the minds of Malaysians has not been answered either by Abdullah or the UMNO Vice Presidents who spoke at the press conference after the UMNO Supreme Council meeting -  why Mahathir had chosen to precipitately announce his resignation at the UMNO General Assembly last Saturday, and unless satisfactory and acceptable reasons are given either by Abdullah or Mahathir, the people will continue to ask it.

(25/6/2002)


*Lim Kit Siang - DAP National Chairman