Dr M says will consider becoming PM for short while if asked

Dr Mahathir Mohamad said he would consider becoming prime minister again for a short term if there was no other suitable candidate to helm the country.

In a brief interview with CNBC Indonesia today, the nonagenarian said he would take on the responsibility if he was asked to do so.

Mahathir was asked on why he had formed a new party and if he had the intention to become the prime minister again for the third time.

"I am 95 years old. So there are things that I cannot do. But if asked to give advice, views or hold a certain position, or become the prime minister for a short term, maybe I would consider it," he said.

He added: "If there's a request and (there are) no other candidates, I think it's my responsibility to serve the country."

Mahathir was the prime minister from 1981 to 2003 when he was with BN. He held the position again for 22 months under Pakatan Harapan from 2018.

He reiterated that his intention in forming a new party was because Bersatu had been "hijacked" by its president and taken a path which went against the party's struggle.

"So we want to revive the fight, to battle corruption and kleptocracy.

"Because the previous party does not carry its duty anymore [...] we have to form a new party to continue the old party's original objectives," he said.

Mahathir had today announced the formation of the "independent" Malay party which was not tied to neither Pakatan Harapan nor Perikatan Nasional. It has yet to have a name.

He is the chairperson of the party while his son, Mukhriz, is the president.

Mahathir at the announcement of his new party

During the media conference, he said the party would uphold Bersatu's original struggle.

The announcement came after the court struck out the former Bersatu chairperson's bid to challenge his dismissal from the party.

Mahathir, who is the Langkawi MP, had formed Bersatu together with Muhyiddin Yassin in 2016 to fight against then-premier Najib Abdul Razak.

Together with Pakatan Harapan, they won the 2018 general election and Mahathir was sworn in as prime minister.

The Harapan government only lasted for 22 months before collapsing in February this year.

This occurred after Muhyiddin pulled Bersatu out of Harapan to form the Perikatan Nasional government together with Umno, BN and PAS. - Mkini