Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad confirmed he rejected advice from prominent economist Jomo Kwame Sundaram to take a step back from politics to become an elder statesperson.
“That is Jomo’s opinion. I do not have to follow what he says,” he said at a press conference in Putrajaya today.
Jomo yesterday said he once advised Mahathir to take on the role of an elder statesperson.
The economist said he met with Mahathir about eight months ago and advised him to step back from politics but the former prime minister had rejected his advice.
In his press conference today, Mahathir said he would continue to be involved in politics for the sake of the country.
“For the sake of the country, if someone comes to ask for help, we have to help. It can’t be that I say I cannot help because I want to rest.
“If someone asks for my opinion, I am ready to give it,” he said.
In the 15th general election (GE15), Mahathir suffered a devastating defeat in the Langkawi parliamentary seat where he lost his deposit.
The 98-year-old politician also resigned as the Pejuang chairperson on Dec 16, 2022.
On Jan 14, Pejuang ended its cooperation with Gerakan Tanah Air (GTA), a coalition of Malay rights parties formed by Mahathir last August.
Following that, there appeared to be a split in Pejuang between Mahathir and his son Mukhriz when the former left Pejuang to join Putra, one of the parties in GTA.
Mukhriz, who is the Pejuang president, later tried to join Perikatan Nasional, though their application was rejected. - Mkini
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