LAWYER and activist Ambiga Sreenevasan today urged Dr Mahathir Mohamad to retake the reins as prime minister, saying he has the people’s mandate to guide Pakatan Harapan “to calmer waters”.

She said the mandate given to PH, led by Dr Mahathir to victory in the 2018 general election, has not changed.

“Amanah and DAP have expressed their support for Dr Mahathir, and I urge him to retake the reins of power, as entrusted by the people, and steer PH to calmer waters.”

Dr Mahathir relinquished the posts of prime minister and Bersatu chairman this afternoon.

And, the party has announced its exit from PH.

Ambiga said she hopes PH will emerge stronger and finish the tasks at hand.

“From the ashes may the phoenix rise, and may the people see a stronger and more united PH to complete its mandated tasks, particularly those of reform. Cooler heads must prevail, and the nation and its people must come first.”

Meanwhile, the National Patriots’ Association (Patriot) told The Malaysian Insight that it will not support any coalition formed with Umno and PAS, adding that Barisan Nasional leaders have not stood up against former prime minister Najib Razak’s wrongdoings.

“This is especially after what the previous government did to our country. It’s true that Najib is the main culprit. But, other BN ministers and leaders did not speak up then. Many were accomplices and themselves corrupt to the core.”

It expressed shock that certain leaders had met the Yang di-Pertuan Agong allegedly to engineer a backdoor government.

“From the latest news reports, it appears that Dr Mahathir was not personally involved in the hijacking of the PH government to form a backdoor government with Umno and PAS.

“It was the work of some in Bersatu and a splinter group of PKR politicians led by Mohamed Azmin Ali. Dr Mahathir’s name was used in yesterday’s political wrangling.”

On Dr Mahathir’s resignation, Patriot said it lauds his principle of not wanting to work with “corrupt Umno leaders”.

The group also said Dr Mahathir should continue to lead PH and see the pact’s promised reforms through.

“We in Patriot agree with DAP and Amanah, and welcome Dr Mahathir to lead PH and see through the reforms that our country is very much in need of.

“With the Covid-19 epidemic looming, and a global recession likely by mid-2020, we need steady hands and minds to steer our economy for a soft landing.”

It said it has reminded leaders time and again to focus on the economy, but recalcitrant politicians keep playing politics for personal interests. – February 24, 2020.