DR Mahathir Mohamad said he does not understand PAS’ attitude, which constantly changes despite expressing support for him to stay on as prime minister.

He said several PAS leaders had met him and stated their support for him to remain as prime minister, but later, the party is seen as acting in a way that was not supportive of him. 

“PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, (PAS secretary-general) Takiyuddin Hassan and Terengganu Menteri Besar Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar came to see me and expressed their support for me to continue as prime minister.

“In fact, they gave their admission in writing, signed by Takiyuddin, at least. Their aspiration was for me to continue as prime minister,” he said after launching the national-level Kampungku Sihat programme in Langkawi today.

He was commenting PAS Youth chief Muhammad Khalil Abdul Hadi’s remarks today in saying that PAS and Umno would set up a committee to avoid a collision of the two parties in any election after this.

Dr Mahathir said that the PAS leaders appeared with Umno leaders during nomination day for the Semenyih by-election and announced it would not be involved in the polls right after expressing their support for him.

In addition, Dr Mahathir questioned PAS’ move not to contest the by-election as the move appeared to show they were actually collaborating with Umno to oppose the Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate, a move not in keeping with their stated support for him.

“PAS did not put up a candidate for the by-election, which means that they gave way to Umno, and it is clear that today, they are cooperating with Umno.

“So, I find it hard to accept what was claimed by PAS. One time, they say support; another time, they make it appear as if they don’t support (me). So, this is PAS’ way,” he said.

Hadi, Takiyuddin and Samsuri reportedly met Dr Mahathir at the Perdana Leadership Foundation in  Putrajaya to express support for the Bersatu chairman should any PH component party betray him. – Bernama, February 24, 2019.