Ku Li warns of snap polls, Zaid unconvinced of Dr M-Anwar transition

Umno's council of advisors chairperson Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah has urged the party to prepare for the possibility of a snap general election.

The Gua Musang lawmaker said this included holding talks with PAS and BN component parties on seat allocations.

“We must resolve this (issue) so that nothing which divides us arises later. We must also take into account the non-Malays who have been our loyal friends.

“I feel that it (discussions) should start now. What if there is a snap election?

“This is possible. If there is a change in leadership, there can be a snap election,” he was quoted as saying by Utusan Malaysia.

Tengku Razaleigh, who is also known as Ku Li, was referring to the transition of power between Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his designated successor PKR president Anwar Ibrahim.

Umno acting president Mohamad Hasan had predicted a different scenario.

During a recent ceramah in Sandakan, he told the audience that Mahathir would not keep his promise to hand over the reins after two years.

Claiming to be familiar with the premier's character, Mohamad said Mahathir would instead dissolve Parliament and call for a fresh election.

Similarly, former de facto minister Zaid Ibrahim also believes that not all in Pakatan Harapan want Anwar to become the next prime minister.

“I m not convinced Harapan leaders are unanimous about wanting Anwar to succeed.

“If they are, why can't we have a date? This is not time of Julius Ceasar where heir ( Octavius) had to be named in a will for fear of infighting,” he tweeted this morning.

He said only DAP had shown resolve on the succession issue and noted how Lim Kit Siang offered to quit politics if Mahathir did not keep his word.

“What about Mat Sabu (Amanah president Mohammad Sabu)? I expect (Bersatu president) Muhyiddin (Yassin) to say something. (PKR deputy president) Azmin (Ali)? Well...,” he added.

Yesterday, Anwar revealed that Mahathir and he are ironing out the details concerning the transition plan.

However, the PKR president did not provide an exact date as to when it would happen.

During Harapan's first anniversary in power on May 9, Mahathir said he would step down after resolving the problems inherited from the previous government.

Pressed further, he replied: "I don't know whether it is three years or two years, but I am an interim prime minister."