PM post promised to Anwar, Muhyiddin had no chance, says Dr Mahathir


Noel Achariam

Dr Mahathir Mohamad says the path for Muhyiddin Yassin to become prime minister opened up because the latter was willing to pull out of Pakatan Harapan and join Umno to form a new government. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, July 21, 2021.

MUHYIDDIN Yassin would not have had the chance to be prime minister if he had not brought down the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition, Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today.

Dr Mahathir said he had promised the premiership to Anwar Ibrahim.

The former prime minister said Muhyiddin saw that in bringing down PH he had a chance to be chosen as prime minister.

“Muhyiddin knew he would never be prime minister because I had already promised that Anwar would take over when I stepped down.

“If Anwar had become prime minister, I don’t think he would have appointed Muhyiddin as his deputy. So, Muhiyiddin didn’t have a chance to become PM,” he said during an online press conference.

Dr Mahathir said Muhyiddin knew he (Dr Mahathir) did not want to work with Umno.

“But, he (Muhyiddin) was prepared to work with Umno. That was why I refused to join, and resigned.

“When I resigned, Muhiyiddin saw a chance for himself to become PM.”

The Langkawi MP said Umno leaders thought they could make use of Muhyiddin as prime minister as a way out from their pending court cases but Muhyiddin had said he would not interfere.

“They thought they could use him (Muhyiddin) to escape punishment. But, he did not interfere in Najib’s case.

“But, he interfered in (former Sabah chief minister) Musa Aman’s case, Najib’s stepson Riza Aziz and (former Federal Territories minister) Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, who all got away,” he said.

Dr Mahathir added that Muhyiddin’s position as prime minister was due to his willingness to pull out of PH and join Umno to form a new government. – July 21, 2021.


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Comments


  • No point talking about now Tun unless it's a strategic statement coming from you, you miscalculated and through back door, direct or indirect you handed the elected government by us to them.

    Posted 4 years ago by Teruna Kelana · Reply

  • Obviously you speak with a twisted tongue. Your resignation without even informing the PH council triggered the Sheraton move. Had you walk the talk you would have appointed Anwar before you threw the bucket. Joke of the century.

    Posted 4 years ago by Justin Leno · Reply