Mahathir distances himself from Zaid’s swipe at PKR

PPBM chairman rules out returning to the post saying there is no point discussing the prime minister-designate if the coalition still fails to win next general election.

KUALA LUMPUR: Dr Mahathir Mohamad has sought to distance himself from Zaid Ibrahim’s assessment that there is a lack of common ground among Pakatan Harapan component parties especially on who should be prime minister once Barisan Nasional is defeated in the polls.

“That is his opinion, not mine. I don’t have anything to do with it,” Mahathir told reporters after attending the “Selamatkan Malaysia” (Save Malaysia) forum at Dewan Sri Siantan, Selayang here today.

Yesterday, Zaid – a former minister and now DAP member – criticised opposition parties for having “too much confidence for their own good” in a blog post, which was aimed at the actions of PKR members during the 12th PKR National Congress held in Shah Alam on Sunday.

“PKR are busy proclaiming Anwar Ibrahim as the new ‘7th prime minister’, and as if that’s not enough, they have also announced party president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail as the ‘seat warmer’ while waiting for the Chosen One to be ready to take the throne,” Zaid had written.

He also said that the holding of placards with the words “Anwar the 7th PM” at the party congress showed a lack of finesse, and also showed “their lack of respect to both Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Muhyiddin Yassin who were present”.

Mahathir and Muhyiddin are chairman and president, respectively, of newest Pakatan Harapan component, PPBM.

Zaid, who has pushed for Mahathir to be named as the PM should the opposition wrest Putrajaya from the ruling coalition, went on to state that it was also arrogant of PKR to pick a prime minister-designate when the opposition has not even won anything yet.

Yesterday, in an exclusive interview with FMT, Mahathir had ruled out returning to the post saying there was no point discussing the prime minister-designate if the coalition still fails to win at the next national polls.

During the forum, Amanah president Mohamad Sabu said that they are not there to bring up the past, as that route has no solutions.

He added that they are content with having more friends, even those who were once foes.

Mohamad Sabu, who is more popularly known as Mat Sabu, had then reiterated during his speech that only with the aid of Mahathir can the race issue in the country be demolished.

“Race issues have been played up by Umno and BN. Without playing the race game they cannot win. If you don’t believe me, ask Mahathir.

“But now Mahathir is with us and will help counter the race issues,” Mat Sabu said. -FMT