Anwar rules out running for premiership

Anwar Ibrahim has endorsed a political compact spearheaded by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

KUALA LUMPUR • Jailed Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim said yesterday he would not be a candidate for prime minister in elections due by mid-2018.

Once a rising star in the ruling Umno party, Anwar is seen as the greatest threat to Prime Minister Najib Razak and his coalition, after leading a three-party opposition alliance to stunning electoral gains in 2013.

Anwar was convicted and jailed for sodomising a former aide, a charge he and his supporters describe as a politically motivated attempt to end his career.

Government sources have told Reuters that a general election could be held later this year in a bid to prevent the opposition from gaining ground. An election has to be called by mid-2018.

Anwar has endorsed a political compact spearheaded by former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad, as ruling party rebels and the opposition joined hands to fight Mr Najib, who is embroiled in a corruption scandal involving state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

"In order to call for a focus on the general election, I am choosing not to offer myself as the candidate for prime minister," Anwar said in a statement. "In hopes of amassing all strengths in a team to go against Umno-BN, it is fair to ensure the participation of all leaders effectively. This includes benefiting from the position and role of Mahathir," he added. (BN is Barisan Nasional, the ruling coalition.)

Tun Dr Mahathir, 91, was Malaysia's longest-serving prime minister. He said earlier this month that he would consider taking up the premier position again, but only if there was no acceptable candidate after an opposition election victory.

Mr Najib has denied any wrongdoing with regards to 1MDB, even as the fund became the subject of money laundering investigations in the United States and at least five other countries.



Source: StraitTimes