Dr M: Muhyiddin can become candidate for PM

PUTRAJAYA: Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (pic) is a possible Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia candidate for the prime minister post, says Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The interim Prime Minister said he had a meeting with Muhyiddin, who is Bersatu president, at his office and confirmed that this was among the things they discussed.

“There were various possibilities that we discussed, including the possibility of Muhyiddin becoming a candidate for the post of prime minister.

“If everybody chooses him, I’m okay. If he goes to Parliament and gets a full majority, then he has the right to become the prime minister, ” Dr Mahathir told reporters after unveiling the Economic Stimulus Package.

However, Dr Mahathir said Bersatu had yet to discuss whether the party would nominate both him and Muhyiddin as its two candidates for the post.

“My position is I will not accept Umno as a component party. But I will accept Umno members who leave their party and disassociate themselves from it.

“But Muhyiddin is more accepting of them and is willing to accept the party en-bloc, ” he said.

Dr Mahathir also confirmed that he had agreed to come back as Bersatu chairman.

When asked if Bersatu would return to Pakatan Harapan, Dr Mahathir said he would consult party members and find out their views on it.

On Monday, Bersatu announced that it was leaving the Pakatan coalition.

About the same time, Dr Mahathir announced he had quit his post as Bersatu chairman.

The party’s departure from Pakatan, added with the resignation of 11 PKR MPs, triggered the collapse of the coalition as it no longer has a majority in the Dewan Rakyat.