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'Umno set to back' Mahathir remaining in office as PM

Umno president Zahid, previously allied with Anwar, now aligning with PAS, say sources

Almost immediately after he was installed as Prime Minister, questions were raised over whether Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad would eventually hand the reins to former nemesis Mr Anwar Ibrahim. PHOTO: EPA-EFE

Shannon Teoh Malaysia Bureau Chief In Kuala Lumpur

Updated

Published

Feb 05, 2020, 05:00 AM

Malaysia's largest party Umno is set to back Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad remaining in office in what would be a huge blow to hopes that Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will ascend to the premiership around May, under a deal agreed by the ruling Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition for a mid-term transition.

Party sources told The Straits Times that Umno president Zahid Hamidi, who was previously allied with Mr Anwar, the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) president, now wants his party to support their former leader, Tun Dr Mahathir.

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