THE Johor palace did not influence the new exco line-up, said an unwell Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

“The sultan did not influence (the choice of executive councillors),” he said in a brief comment after officiating the inaugural Orang Asli convention in Putrajaya this morning.

“I suppose it was a Johor PH decision,” he added.

The prime minister was asked whether the palace had influenced Pakatan Harapan’s decision to drop councillors Mazlan Bujang and Tan Hong Pin.

The new exco, under Menteri Besar Dr Shahruddin Jamal, was sworn in today by Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar.

Mazlan and Tan were replaced by Bukit Permai assemblyman Tosrin Jarvanthi (Bersatu), Tenang assemblyman Mohd Solihan Badri (Bersatu) and Jementah rep Tan Chen Choon (DAP).

Dr Mahathir, who stopped three times during his 20-minute speech, managed to take another question before leaving the convention.

“We will study the problem,” said the normally media-friendly prime minister before rushing off.

 The 93-year-old was asked to comment on DAP’s request for matriculation quotas to be abolished.

DAP made its request following Dr Mohd Radzi Mohd Jidin’s comments the government would maintain matriculation quotas at 90% for Bumiputera and 10% for others.

In an interview with The Star Online today, Dr Mahathir said he was working three times harder compared to when he was PM in 1983.

“The burden of work is very heavy. Some letters written to me – I can only read three months later.

“Even at night, there are people who come to see me or I have to attend to something or other, which means that I don’t have time to implement. I know what should be done. 

“In one day, somebody dumps on my desk five different problems, which need my time but I do not have the time. People come endlessly. They come to see me and overstay and because of that, I cannot go home. And at home, when I go back, I still find people in the house wanting me to do something,” said Dr Mahathir.

He leaves for China for the second Belt and Road forum starting on Thursday. – April 22, 2019.