Anwar: I appealed to Dr M to stay on as PM but he refused to be associated with past regime

PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says he had appealed to Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to stay on as the Prime Minister in his meeting with him earlier in the day.

The PKR president said he appealed on behalf of PKR and Pakatan Harapan for Dr Mahathir to stay, however, the latter did not feel so.

"I appealed to him on behalf of Keadilan and Pakatan, that this treachery could be dealt with together, but of course he's got a different mind.

"He thought he shouldn't be treated in that manner... to associate him working with those (leaders)," Anwar told reporters outside the PKR headquarters after returning from having an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on Monday (Feb 24) afternoon.

Asked if Dr Mahathir felt responsible for the political unrest that is ongoing, Anwar said the former was not to be blamed.

Anwar, who is Port Dickson MP, said Dr Mahathir's "name was used".

"His name was used, by those within my party and outside, he reiterated what he said to me earlier in the day, that he played no part in it.

"He made it very clear that in no way, will he ever work with those associated with in the past regime," Anwar said.

Asked if Anwar will still be the country's eight prime minister, the lawmaker merely smiled and said: "We shall see."

On Anwar's audience with the King, Anwar said the meeting was to express and exchange his views, as well as seek advice from the Yang-di Pertuan Agong for the interest of the country's peace and stability.

Dr Mahathir had tendered his resignation as the Prime Minister as well as Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia's chairman earlier today.