Anwar Anwar gets boost as Mahathir vacations

Anwar Anwar gets boost as Mahathir vacations

By Reme Ahmad

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuter): Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim will advance a little further along the path to the premiership when his boss goes for a long vacation this month, political and economic analysts said at the weekend.

Anwar will be keen to demonstrate his skills in running the country when Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad goes on a two-month work-and-rest mission from May 19, leaving his 49-year-old deputy in charge.

Anwar, who is also finance minister, has long been touted as the most able successor to Mahathir, 71, and has never denied talk that he wanted the top job.

The vacation will be the longest period that Mahathir, who has led Malaysia for 16 years, will have been away.

"The PM is telling political observers that there is no succession problem," the head of research at a Malaysian securities firm said.

Kuala Lumpur's normally busy rumor-mill went into overdrive after news of the trip, focusing on why Mahathir would pass the baton of leadership to Anwar, even temporarily.

Many analysts said Anwar would likely prove that any future leadership change would be smooth.

"It's a chance for Anwar to show his mettle," said a Western diplomat. "He's shown with the handling of the economy that he's a safe pair of hands. It should be business as usual."

Andy Tan, general manager at market research firm MMS International, added: "The two-month break will offer Anwar the opportunity to gain useful experience which will be handy if and when he eventually becomes prime minister."

Mahathir denied he wanted to test Anwar.

"Actually only the press wants to test (him). Others don't have to and I don't have to. He has my full trust," he told reporters last Thursday.

Political commentator Rustam Sani agreed, saying: "I don't think he has to test his deputy. He should know what the man is capable of by now."

Anwar was appointed deputy prime minister in 1993. Both he and Mahathir had similar backgrounds as political radicals in their younger days.

Senior statesman Mahathir is now seen as a spokesman for developing nations. He speaks his mind on a wide range of issues, especially those which involve perceived mistreatment of developing nations by the developed world.

The bookish, bespectacled Anwar is more circumspect, and likes to quote from leading thinkers.

Mahathir denied that Anwar's appointment was a preamble to his retirement.

"One day I will have to retire. We will have to face reality. Everybody retires, the only question is when. It's not a preamble or anything like that," he said.

Anwar said last Thursday he would be in constant communication with Mahathir during the period.

"Dr Mahathir is still prime minister and I will still have to refer to him on certain matters," Anwar told reporters.