DR Mahathir Mohamad’s remarks that he might be able to work with Perikatan Nasional (PN), as long as “criminals” such as Umno leaders who are facing trial are not included, should not be construed as giving legitimacy to the government, Pejuang pro-tem deputy president Marzuki Yahya said.

Marzuki explained Dr Mahathir’s remarks made to Malaysiakini in an interview, where he indicated the possibility when asked about his stand if those leaders on trial were no longer in PN.

“When it comes to the stability of the country, we have no problem helping.

“We have no issue cooperating with anyone since we are not in any coalition. But with what is going on in the country now… with the mismanagement by the government, the chaos that is happening, I don’t think we can support Muhyiddin (Yassin) as a prime minister,” Marzuki was quoted saying by Malaysiakini.

He said Pejuang, which Dr Mahathir heads, would only work with PN on matters of national interest but this was not to be seen as political support for the coalition that ousted Pakatan Harapan from federal government a year ago.

“This PN government is not one that was legitimately chosen by the people. It is a backdoor government,” Marzuki added.

In his interview with Malaysiakini, Dr Mahathir said that PN was still trying to entice him to join the coalition, but reiterated that he would not work with “criminals” who supported the current government, especially after promising voters to bring them down.

He named former prime minister Najib Razak, who has been convicted of one set of graft charges and faces others, and also referred to the “court cluster”, which includes Umno president and former deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as well as other senior Umno figures who stand accused of a litany of graft charges.

Dr Mahathir was asked if he would accept PN’s invitation if these people were not part of the coalition, to which he reportedly said “Yes, if they are no longer there”. – April 16, 2021.