KUALA LUMPUR – Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has the credentials to be prime minister but his claim to the post was hindered by broken promises, said former deputy prime minister Tun Musa Hitam.
During a special interview with Utusan Malaysia’s Sunday edition, Mingguan Malaysia, Musa described Anwar as a capable leader who should have been appointed prime minister.
“I can say without hesitation, he is qualified to be prime minister,” said Musa.
“He has charisma, and to me, he should already be prime minister, but there was a person who promised him (the post) several times, and our friend (Anwar) had waited and waited, but finally it didn’t happen.”
Musa, who is now the World Islamic Economic Forum Foundation (WIEF) chairman, did not mention any names but appeared to be alluding to former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Musa was deputy prime minister from 1981 to 1986, while Anwar held the position from 1993 to 1998.
Both had falling outs with Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad who was prime minister then.
Prior to the fall of the Pakatan Harapan government last year, Dr Mahathir had repeatedly assured Anwar the top job.
However, the promise of handing the baton over to Anwar was not fulfilled after the famed Sheraton Move led to the Perikatan Nasional coalition headed by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin taking federal power.
When asked his thoughts about who should lead the country, Musa gave Anwar the nod.
“If before this, the person who made the promise gave it (prime ministerial post) to him, I would say yes, good idea,” he said.
“Unfortunately, the one who made the promise did not give it.”
Earlier in the interview, Musa noted that Umno would gain the confidence of the public if it had put aside leaders who were involved in court cases until they were able to prove their innocence.
Apart from Anwar and other party leaders, Musa touched on Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi whom he had known since the latter was a youth leader and whom he described as “sufficiently polite”.
Musa also spoke of how Zahid had visited him at his house, promising to follow Musa’s advice to work hard to hold a high post, and to study until he obtained a doctorate.
“He is very strong at the grassroots level, he frequently goes down to the kampung and is a good speaker,” Musa said.
“Unfortunately, he is ensnared in legal charges now,” added Musa. – The Vibes, March 7, 2021
