PPBM meeting illegal without Mukhriz and I, says Dr M

Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad says he is still chairman of PPBM and therefore has wide powers in the party.

PETALING JAYA: Dr Mahathir Mohamad says it was illegal for PPBM not to invite him and his son, deputy president Mukhriz Mahathir, to a Supreme Council meeting which was later called off, adding that the party constitution regards him as the most senior person with the authority to chair such meetings.

“When I found that they did not invite me and Mukhriz to the Supreme Council meeting, this contradicted the party constitution.

“In the constitution, such a meeting should be chaired by me, with all its members invited. Only this body can approve policies and decide on important actions,” he said in a video statement today.

Mahathir was referring to a top leadership meeting scheduled for May 11 which was postponed at the eleventh hour, averting a speculated showdown between his faction and those aligned with PPBM president Muhyiddin Yassin.

Mahathir resigned as prime minister and party chairman in February after a disagreement about an alliance with Umno. PPBM leaders and a breakaway PKR faction went on to form a new government with support from Umno-BN and PAS.

Mahathir has since filed his candidacy to return as chairman in the coming PPBM elections. There are no challengers.

Mahathir also questioned the appointment of Hamzah Zainuddin being appointed as PPBM secretary-general replacing Marzuki Yahya.

He said PPBM had agreed that former Umno leader who joined the party after the 2018 polls should not hold any position.

“I think Muhyiddin has been infected with the Umno disease. Because he likes to do something that is not according to the constitution,” he said.

“Hamzah is not the secretary-general, the secretary-general is Marzuki Yahya, whose appointment was confirmed by myself,” he said.

Mahathir then accused Muhyiddin of trying to shore up support by offering ministerial posts.

“Muhyiddin’s supporters support him because of positions offered to him. Or else, they would support me.

“I am saddened with all of this because I was with Muhyiddin to form PPBM. His actions will cause the party to be destroyed.”

He said PPBM’s future was bleak as it risked being abandoned by both Pakatan Harapan and Umno in the event a general election is called.

“I’m not desperate to become the prime minister. I was prime minister twice. All I want is to ensure we follow the existing laws,” Mahathir added. - FMT