Anwar was asked by Singapore-based broadcaster Channel NewsAsia (CNA) if such a special post could be created for Mahathir after he retires.
“Mahathir always told me ‘You retire, retire’ but we are open. As long as the relationship is not only cordial but working based on trust, I don’t see that as problematic,” said the PKR leader, Pakatan Harapan’s candidate to take over from Mahathir.
But the 71-year-old told CNA that he did not believe Mahathir, who will be 95 in two years, was keen to remain in government.
“I don’t believe, after extensive discussion with Mahathir, that he’s interested in having a position in government. But I think we should utilise his expertise and experience to assist and formulate some of our policies and even assist to help in explaining or establishing contacts locally, domestically and internationally,” he said.
Anwar, the PKR president-elect who is attempting a parliamentary comeback through a by-election in Port Dickson, said while it was too early to talk about when and how the power transition would take place, his focus was to support Mahathir as prime minister and help him reform Malaysia.
“Although I’m leading a party with significant numbers of MPs in Parliament, my position is very clear. You have the prime minister, you should give the support, you give the latitude and we give him the undertaking that the entire party and the machinery are with him in effecting reforms,” Anwar told CNA.
Asked who would be his deputy when he becomes prime minister, a position currently held by his wife Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Anwar said it was up to the MPs to recommend and for PH to decide.
“I should not pre-empt that. There is, of course, a broad understanding but only in terms of my position. There’s no insistence or even lobbying for the next person to be deputy prime minister.”
Anwar had previously said that Wan Azizah would step down when he takes over as prime minister.
He also hinted at a Cabinet reshuffle when he takes over, saying he would appoint ministers based on the performance of the existing ministers appointed by Mahathir.
Asked for his thoughts on Mahathir’s move to cancel several infrastructure projects with Chinese state-owned enterprises, Anwar said he fully supported the prime minister’s decisions as the projects warranted a review. This was for two reasons, he said.
The first was that Malaysia’s financial position did not allow it to embark on “massive mega projects”.
Secondly, he said, dubious deals involving the former administration and specific companies needed to be scrapped or relooked.
“If it is deemed to be important infrastructure then this can be considered later. But Mahathir made the right decision, and is giving the right signals,” he added.
He also said he had assured Singapore’s leaders that Malaysia would strive for better bilateral relations under the new PH government.
Anwar will be contesting in Port Dickson after incumbent MP Danyal Balagopal Abdullah resigned, resulting in a by-election aimed at allowing Anwar to enter Parliament.