KUALA LUMPUR – Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad expressed his willingness to throw his support behind PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, making good on his promise to hand over the reins to the Port Dickson MP back when Pakatan Harapan was in power.
Dispelling the widespread perception that he is against Anwar taking the top post, Dr Mahathir responded positively when asked whether Pejuang – with its four MPs, including himself – will support the opposition leader as prime minister.
“Pejuang is a third force. We are not tied to any other party, so if Anwar becomes prime minister, we will support (him),” he told a special televised interview with Bernama last night.
Despite assuring his backing, Dr Mahathir, however, expressed uncertainty on whether the former deputy prime minister could command majority support in Parliament.
“I had made the promise that, if PH was in power, I would resign in due time and Anwar could take over. (Tan Sri) Muhyiddin (Yassin) would not have gotten anything.”
On what led to the so-called “backdoor” government helmed by Muhyiddin being formed, the Langkawi MP insisted that he did not collude with the Pagoh MP when he resigned in 2018.
“He (Muhyiddin), (Datuk Seri) Hamzah (Zainudin) and (Datuk Seri Mohamed) Azmin Ali had planned it (Sheraton Move) long before it happened.
“What happened was that I lost the support of my own party (Bersatu), who would not take my advice (to stay with PH).
“A leader who loses support will resign (honourably), which is what I did.” – The Vibes, August 19, 2021
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