PAKATAN Harapan chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad has the backing of all races to become Malaysia’s seventh prime minister, said Daim Zainuddin. 

The former Umno minister said Malays, Chinese and Indians had shown support for the man who had ruled the country for 22 years.

“Malays support him because they believe he will become the next prime minister, Chinese and Indians also support him,” he said in an interview with Apa Khabar TV uploaded on Facebook.

Daim, who was the finance minister in Dr Mahathir’s cabinet, said his old boss had no problems accepting ideas and advice from younger leaders.

“From what I see now,  his advisers are young people; he’s willing to listen (to them), including to the Indians and Chinese.

“What we want is a clean and responsible government. If we want to become leaders, we must be responsible and not lie to the people.”

Daim urged Malays not to make the mistake of electing corrupt leaders, saying they must choose a party or coalition that fought for the interests of all the people.

“We can’t find excuses (to support corrupt leaders), like just because we are Malays we have to be united. Religion is more important than Malays, religion is not about Malays.

“Don’t make the mistake that corruption is okay so long Malays are united. In the end, the battlefield is a battle of ideas; if we teach good things that benefit the people, then people can accept them.”

Daim was yesterday sacked by Umno, which also booted former minister Rafidah Aziz following their endorsement of PH.

Daim has in recent days appeared on the campaign trail of PH candidates, including Dr Mahathir who is the Langkawi candidate, in Kedah.

On Friday, Daim and Rafidah shared a stage in Malacca, where they urged support for Dr Mahathir to oust Barisan National in the May 9 general election. – May 6, 2018.