Kit Siang: Why is PAS panicking that Harapan will fulfil its transition promise?

DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang has questioned why PAS appears to be panicking over Pakatan Harapan's plan to finalise the prime ministerial transition plan as promised in the last general election.

This is after several PAS leaders attacked Harapan ahead of its presidential council meeting this Friday to detail the transition plan from Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad to PKR president Anwar Ibrahim.

"Why are PAS leaders panicking over Harapan fulfilling its general election promise on power transition on Friday?

"Suddenly, the PAS leaders seem to be constitutional experts and fit for high judicial office, whether they are grounded in the law or not.

"It is one of the blessings Malaysians should be thankful for that these PAS leaders do not occupy the high judicial posts in the land," he said in a statement today.

Without naming names, Lim noted that a PAS leader with legal background claimed that the discussion on Mahathir handing over power to Anwar infringed on the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong's authority.

"I wonder where he studied law," said Lim in an apparent reference to PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan (below).

He also noted that another PAS leader claimed the Harapan presidential council had no locus standi to decide on Mahathir's successor. The statement was made by Pasir Mas MP Ahmad Fadhli Shaari. 

"Maybe, if some basic intelligence test is needed, there will be less of such nonsense from political leaders.

"But the long and short of such outpouring from PAS leaders is that they do not want Harapan to honour its general election promises.

"And yet, PAS leaders are the most ferocious in attacking Harapan leaders for not delivering on its general election promises," he said.

Lim said PAS, which he accused of teaming up with "kleptocrats" in the last general election, should make up its mind.

PAS is pushing for Mahathir (below) to stay on for a full term and wants to initiate a vote of confidence.

On Friday, Mahathir said there were people who wanted him to stay on as premier for another "22 years" but assured that he would leave after the conclusion of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit in Kuala Lumpur in November.

Harapan had in the last general election endorsed Mahathir as its leader on condition that he will hand over power to Anwar before the end of his term as prime minister. No specific date was set.

Anwar had said the possibility of setting a date for the transition plan will be discussed during the presidential council meeting on Feb 21.