He told the Dewan Rakyat that the agreement was signed by every leader from the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition.
“The agreement was, if PH won, Mahathir would be prime minister and Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail would be deputy prime minister,” he said. There would also be a transfer of power following his release from prison, once he was eligible to contest, he added.
“That is clear.”
He was responding to Shahidan Kassim (BN-Arau), who had asked him about the transfer of power.
Anwar also told Shahidan that it was not about him or Mahathir.
On the specific date for the handover of power, Anwar said: “The agreement does not specify a date, only that there would be no delays. There was a discussion of one year, and another discussion of two years.”
He added that the transfer of power will take place according to the will of leaders “that are present here”.
“It will be their decision,” he said. “Not mine or Langkawi’s. For me, this matter is settled.”
He also spoke on the importance of having principles in politics, taking a shot at Hishammuddin Hussein (BN-Sembrong).
“Sometimes everyone wants to save themselves, sometimes they want to find ways to close probes by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC),” he said.
“We do not want such politics. There should be principles even when being charged in court or jailed. Principles should not be compromised.”
Hishammuddin, a former Umno vice-president, has disputed talk that he will leave the party. He has also denied masterminding the actions of several Sabah Umno leaders who have left the party.
He denied that he is under probe by Umno although former attorney-general Mohamed Apandi Ali who is the present chief of Umno’s disciplinary board confirmed to Malaysiakini that a probe is ongoing.
Bung Moktar Radin (BN-Kinabatangan) then said that investors are shunning the country due to uncertainty over the transfer of power. He said a specific date should be given so that the people are not confused.
Ahmad Maslan (BN-Pontian) meanwhile joked that Anwar might be sidelined, saying, “It remains unclear when the transfer of power will take place.”
Shahidan urged the government to make a decision to stop tongues from wagging.
“After the issue is settled, shake hands and be happy,” he added.
Eventually, however, Willie Mongin (PH-Puncak Borneo) called for an end to the discussion.
“Don’t provoke my party. This has nothing to do with the budget,” he told Shahidan, referring to the Supply Bill 2020 debate which starts today.
A majority vote is needed for the approval of the 2020 Budget.
But Shahidan called Mongin “stupid”, accusing him of seeking to settle the issue although he later retracted the unparliamentary word.
Anwar said the issue was being raised due to the perception that foreign investments have been affected. He said this was why he was “using this space to debate the matter”.
He also said the priority in all of this was PH.
“I hope there are no attempts at interference by the opposition,” he added.
“As Kinabatangan (Bung Moktar) gives assurance and Bagan Datuk (Ahmad Zahid Hamidi) shakes his head, the problem is settled.”
Anwar also said he was “just a human being who had gone through a lot for many years now”.
“If I am fated (to be prime minister), it will need the support of all parties.”