Dr M issues ultimatum to end ties with PKR, willing to explore other options

Dr Mahathir Mohamad is prepared to end his working relationship with PKR if it continues to oppose his candidature for the prime minister post.

In an exclusive interview with Sin Chew Daily, the nonagenarian said he would stop collaborating with PKR president Anwar Ibrahim if the impasse is not resolved and explore other means to become prime minister for the third time.

However, Mahathir said he would continue to work with DAP and Amanah since the two parties supported him for the top post.

“I won’t cooperate with him (Anwar) anymore because he does not want to work with me. I need to find other ways to become PM. There might be some other ways,” he said.

Malaysiakini contacted Mahathir's aide for clarification if this meant the former premier has decided to shut the door on PKR.

However, the aide said this was more of an "ultimatum" should Anwar and PKR continue to remain adamant.

The aide also said Mahathir meant he would explore other avenues to "bring down the backdoor government".

If the option for him to become prime minister for six months before passing the baton to Anwar falls through, Mahathir said he was willing to leave the informal alliance of Pakatan Harapan Plus.

“No, I think I will quit,” he said.

Elaborating, he recalled how Pakatan Harapan and its predecessor Pakatan Rakyat had failed to form the government before he and Bersatu joined forces with them.

“They have been in the opposition for so long. Before I joined them, in 2008 and 2013, they tried to win but they lost. They couldn't win.

“I joined them in GE14, and with enough Malay support, we won.

“They were very clear, they needed Malay votes to win and thought I could bring them Malay votes because Bersatu is a Malay party, and the Malays won’t support multiracial parties,” he said

Malaysiakini has reached out to PKR and Anwar for comment.