Dr M explains pre-Sheraton meeting photo, why he didn't go to palace

Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad said he never agreed to Bersatu leaving Pakatan Harapan as it was part of the coalition which emerged victorious over the fight against Najib Abdul Razak.

In a video aired on Facebook, Mahathir also explained a viralled photo (below) showing him with leaders of the then opposition parties, including Umno and PAS, as well as former PKR deputy president Azmin Ali.

"The meeting (in the photo) was held after the Bersatu supreme council meeting to discuss the leadership's decision.

"There was a suggestion for Bersatu to leave Harapan. I advised (them) to take time to think about this matter deeply.

"Eventually, they agreed to give me time. In fact, Muhyiddin (Yassin) gave me a week to make a decision.

"However, I saw that they had made a plan to leave Harapan," he said in the video aired on Facebook.

Mahathir said after the meeting, leaders went to Istana Negara to seek an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

"I did not go as I wanted to think deeply about the decision made at the Bersatu supreme council meeting," he added.

Mahathir also revealed that Muhyiddin had on several occasions personally coaxed him to agree for the party to exit the coalition.

"I didn't completely decline him, but I said that I would think about this matter.

"My view was that I'm part of Harapan which won the fight to topple Najib.

"Therefore, it's weird for Bersatu, which had helped to topple Najib, to be suggested to work with him," he said.

Mahathir's explanation came after the photo made its round on social media, where Perikatan Nasional supporters have claimed that it proves Mahathir was in support of pulling Bersatu out of Harapan.

Najib, in his Facebook post, also asked why Mahathir did not tell anyone about the meeting on the day of the Sheraton Move. 

Mahathir also explained that there's no reason for him to reject Harapan despite rumours that the coalition is dominated by DAP.

"I found out that it's impossible for DAP to dominate Harapan.

"This is because as prime minister, it's unlikely for me to agree with any suggestion which did not consider all parties, especially the Malays," he said. - Mkini