Malaysia: Some Umno MPs wants Dr M to stay PM full-term, but Zahid says not party’s official stance

• Having Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad serve a full five-year term as prime minister is not Umno’s official stance, its president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi told reporters in Parliament on 24 Oct 19.
• The Bagan Datuk MP said his Opposition party respects the current government, but is not officially endorsing the Bersatu chairman to remain prime minister amid the ongoing spotlight of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) succession plan, even if some Umno lawmakers are for it.
• Several Umno MPs told reporters in Parliament earlier that they want Dr Mahathir to serve out a full five years till the next general election, saying a change in government leadership mid-stream will disrupt the country’s economy.
• Among them were Tenggara MP Datuk Seri Adham Baba and Kuala Kangsar MP Datin Mastura Mohd Yazid. Mastura said the current government is facing a lot of problems and that it was better not to change leaders mid-term.
• Zahid said his fellow Umno MPs have a right to express their personal view, and that Umno will continue as is under the current PH rule.
• The dateless PH succession plan that would see PKR president succeed Dr Mahathir mid-term has set tongues wagging of an internal power struggle within the ruling coalition and spurred speculation of a new alliance of Malay parties led by Hishammuddin to potentially form a new government without DAP and Amanah.

External Link : https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2019/10/24/some-umno-mps-wants-dr-m-to-stay-pm-full-term-but-zahid-says-not-partys-off/1803308