ANWAR Ibrahim said he had pleaded with Dr Mahathir Mohamad not to resign as the prime minister this morning.

The PKR president said he could not say anything about the former Bersatu chairman’s decision to the media earlier today.

“I was with him, I was informed but I could not tell until he released publicly (his decision). I did appeal to him on behalf of PKR and Pakatan Harapan to stay,” he told reporters after returning from Istana Negara.

Anwar said he had told Dr Mahathir they could deal with any “treachery together”

However, the Port Dickson MP said Dr Mahathir felt he should not be treated in the way he had been and did not want to be associated with “those literally corrupt”.

Anwar said Dr Mahathir had no role in toppling the PH government.

“No, I think it was not him. His name was used by those within my party and outside, you know, using his name.

“He reiterated to us what he has said earlier, that he played no part in it.

“He had been very clear. There is no way he will ever work with those who had been associated with the past regime,” he said. – February 24, 2020.