TALK of a no-confidence vote against Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad are unfounded, said Bersatu vice-president Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman.

He accused cyber troopers of blowing up the issue.

“It’s most probably cyber troopers who are making a fuss, the more money they get, the more twisting (of facts) they will do” he told reporters at a press conference in Putrajaya.

He was responding to speculation that Dr Mahathir may be forced to step down through a vote of no confidence.

Rashid said he felt his party boss should serve the full term.

“Personally he should be given the opportunity to continue. Let him finish his job. He wants to do many things, give him the time,” he said.

He however quickly added that extending Dr Mahathir’s tenure may be politically impossible as PKR president Anwar Ibrahim was waiting on the sidelines to take over as agreed by Pakatan Harapan parties.

“The suggestion for Dr Mahathir to remain (in office) is normal, but politically that may not be possible because there is somebody waiting to become prime minister,” he said.

Earlier today, PAS said it was Dr Mahathir who had given them the impression that he will be the victim in a conflict brewing in Pakatan Harapan.

Dr Mahathir said at a function today that he will wait and see if PAS leaders will support him as promised in the event of a vote of no-confidence against him.

“If there is a vote of no confidence then I will see if PAS will support me or not,” he said, after visiting the Defence Ministry in Jalan Padang Tembak, Kuala Lumpur, today.

Last week PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan said party leaders had promised to support Dr Mahathir if there is a no-confidence vote in Parliament.

PKR president Anwar Ibrahim had declined to weigh in on the rumours of a plot to topple Dr Mahathir.

He said it was difficult to verify PAS’ claim as its leaders are allowed to lie. – February 21, 2019.