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.