Some PAS leaders trying to sabotage PAS-Bersatu talks, claims Dr M

Dr Mahathir Mohamad has claimed that some PAS leaders are "sabotaging" talks of possible cooperation between the Islamist party and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu).

The former premier pointed the finger at PAS research centre director Mohd Zuhdi Marzuki as one of them, noting that the latter was attacking Bersatu leaders, particularly Mahathir.

Such leaders, the Bersatu chairperon said, considered him to be worse than Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, whom they did not criticise over 1MDB and other issues.

"For these leaders I am the villain. I want to know why am I the villain.

"Is it because I stole billions? Or spent billions to start a company and the money disappears.

"Or did I sell this country to another country for them to build cities for foreigners?" he asked during a press conference in Putrajaya today.

Najib has repeatedly denied abusing public funds for personal gain, and has been cleared of any wrongdoing by the attorney-general.

The prime minister has blamed the corruption allegations on Mahathir and those conspiring to topple him from power.

Mahathir did not name any of the PAS leaders who supposedly attacked him apart from Zuhdi. Malaysiakini has contacted Zuhdi for his response.

Previously it was reported that Zuhdi claimed Mahathir feared PAS' influence.

This in turn was a response to Mahathir's interview with Singapore's Straits Times, where the former premier claimed that Bersatu can defeat PAS in most instances and might have to face three-cornered fights against the Islamist party.

"Such statements are part of his political strategy.

"Mahathir is a political dictator, and it is on that basis that he confronted all other prime ministers from Tunku Abdul Rahman to the incumbent. Even if there is any exception, that would be Abdul Razak’s era," Zuhdi reportedly said.

Meanwhile, Mahathir said a Bersatu delegation led by its deputy president Mukhriz Mahathir would meet PAS on Feb 2 to ascertain the party’s stance on a possible electoral pact.

Mukhriz, who was also present at the press conference, said Bersatu had sent PAS a draft of the agreement framework, and expected to receive feedback on it in the coming meeting.

He said the framework was similar to what Bersatu had already signed with Pakatan Harapan.- Mkini