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Government Backbenchers Club chairperson Johari Abdul, who is known to be a staunch supporter of PKR president Anwar Ibrahim, has advised Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad not to behave like a celestial being.

The PKR leader’s divine censure was in response to the premier stating that he cannot guarantee his successor would do well in administering the nation.

“Don’t play God, there are premiers before you who were better leaders, such as Tunku Abdul Rahman, who brought independence for Malaysia and (Abdul) Razak Hussein, who created Felda and other schemes,” he told Malaysiakini.

“This is your second tenure as prime minister. I mean you should be thankful to God that ‘I am still alive, and I am given a second chance’,” he added.

The Sungai Petani MP also appealed to Mahathir to stop commenting on the succession issue and to keep his word.

“When you said two years (as premier), it means two years. That’s it. Just stick to your promise.

“I am appealing to him not to talk about the succession issue anymore. When you start talking about it, people talk more about the matter,” he added.

However, Johari disagreed with PKR founding member Syed Husin Ali that Pakatan Harapan leaders have been stymied by Mahathir.

PKR central leadership council member Abdullah Sani Abdul Hamid also unleashed a scathing salvo against Mahathir, telling the latter not to flip-flop on the succession issue.

“Don’t say different things in the morning, afternoon, evening and night. It is not good for the country,” the Kapar MP told Malaysiakini.

“We are tired of you saying different things at different times. Be honest, you have to tell us when you are going to step down and let Anwar run the country,” he added.

Abdullah said he agreed with Syed Husin that Mahathir should step down with immediate effect but if this cannot be done, then he should commit to an exact date as to when he would do so.

According to the PKR leader, the nation is in a critical state and in need of rescuing.

“Look around, the country is critical, especially our economy and investor (confidence)… The nation needs to be saved…Mahathir must step down and let Anwar take over,” he added.

Last week, Mahathir said he would remain in power for a maximum of three years.

However, in an interview with Bloomberg last week, Anwar said he expects to be prime minister next year.

Meanwhile, Amanah central committee member Hu Pang Chaw also agreed that the 94-year-old prime minister should step down as promised.

“Given his seniority, having been in politics for seven decades, he should be able to complete whatever mission he has in two years’ time.

“He no longer at his peak. So, he should consider retiring now or risk losing his reputation later,” he told Malaysiakini.

Stressing on the importance of Harapan to groom future leaders to ensure a brighter future for Malaysia, Hu named Anwar’s daughter and Permatang Pauh MP Nurul Izzah as one of the talented leaders. – Malaysiakini