Is Dr Mahathir rebuilding his government?

Updated 4 years ago · Published on 27 Feb 2020 3:14PM · 11 Comments

Bersatu says Dr Mahathir Mohamad is back as its chairman after quitting the post on Monday. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, February 27, 2020.

IN a week of constantly changing political scenarios, Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s return as Bersatu chairman today hints that he is building support to form his own government.

The interim prime minister left Istana Negara at noon after an hour-long meeting with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. He only waved to reporters camped outside the palace.

Moments later, Bersatu said Dr Mahathir is back as its chairman – after relinquishing the post this week – and to wait for further announcements.

Meanwhile, PKR president Anwar Ibrahim is with other party leaders at a Petaling Jaya hotel, and is expected to meet the king soon.

Sources told The Malaysian Insight that one of the options Dr Mahathir has now is to return Bersatu to the Pakatan Harapan fold, but this is easier said than done.

It is anyone’s guess if the pact’s current line-up of PKR, DAP and Amanah will take Bersatu back. The three parties have publicly declared their support for Anwar to become prime minister.

Given this, will Dr Mahathir be open to forming a cross-party government, or will he stick to his speech yesterday, in which he urged Malaysians to give him a chance to set up a non-partisan administration?

“If allowed, I will try and form a government that does not side with any party. Only the country’s interests will be given priority,” he said in his first public address since resigning as prime minister and Bersatu chairman on Monday.

The same day, president Muhyiddin Yassin announced Bersatu’s exit from PH, resulting in the pact’s collapse.

“With him back as Bersatu chairman, Dr Mahathir is in a better position to garner support from other parties, including those in PH,” said a source. – February 27, 2020.

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Comments

  • A government that has no clear mandate from the people will not survive. People will stage protests again, same as pre GE14.

    Posted 4 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • What business has he as leader of a mosquito party, to dictate terms?

    Posted 4 years ago by Arul Inthirarajah · Reply

    • What mosquito party? At the rate at which they are stealing MPs from UMNO and perhaps now PKR, they may soon be the biggest party in the country.

      Posted 4 years ago by Anak Kampung · Reply

  • He can play out the rakyat as he pleased but he can't play around with Agong. Now all Malaysians would realise the importance of Royal instituition not only as check and balance in a chaotic political situation but to calm the nation and find a best solution for the country. Especially when politicians are jumping like the frogs. Untrustworthy politicians who totally betrayed the choice of voters. Shameless politicians who vow to fight for the people?

    Posted 4 years ago by James Wong · Reply

  • Both Mahathir and Muhyidin must step down to save Bersatu. Let Mukriz lead the party and remove those agreed to pull out of PH. Rebuild and rebrand PH for the sake of the country.

    Posted 4 years ago by James Wong · Reply

    • whatever you're smoking i want some

      Posted 4 years ago by Sharizal Shaarani · Reply

  • Since GE14 and even before, two things have been constant: Bersatu is gaining MPs. PKR and UMNO are bleeding MPs. To continue this trend, given previous statements, TDM could propose to rejoin PH with select PKR and UMNO MPs now within Bersatu. This will allow Bersatu to demand more posts and, come GE15, more seats. I believe this is probably TDM's best plan for Bersatu now. Whether this will work depends on the individual 'frogs' and also on their parties. So far, there have been many willing frogs and no strong reaction from the betrayed parties, who continue to want to work with Bersatu even while bleeding members to it. If this continues, the trend points towards a BN 2.0-style government led by Bersatu. This is consistent with views that TDM wanted to keep the system but just get rid of DS Najib and a handful of other UMNO-ites, together perhaps with Azmin & Co. as sacrificial lambs.

    Posted 4 years ago by Anak Kampung · Reply

    • Perhaps one thing PH can do is the same thing as TDM: Refuse to work with Bersatu en bloc, but only select MPs. It'll be a risky gambit.

      Posted 4 years ago by Anak Kampung · Reply

  • .....resignation was a planned move

    Posted 4 years ago by Maniraju Maruthai · Reply

  • How to garner support when he can't even control Muhyiddin?

    Posted 4 years ago by Kyle Choo · Reply

    • All this while, He is behind Muhyiddin putting a up drama

      Posted 4 years ago by Steven Yaap · Reply