I have the majority to be PM8, claims Dr M

PETALING JAYA: In a twist of events, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is now offering himself as candidate for Prime Minister and Pakatan Harapan is backing him.

"I believe I have the majority of support in Parliament to be the next Prime Minister and I will not work with Umno kleptocrats," says Dr Mahathir.

In a statement issued Saturday (Feb 29), the interim Prime Minister said that he did not sign any statutory declaration in support of any individual.

This about-turn distances himself from Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu)'s statement yesterday which said it was unanimous in support of Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as Prime Minister.

"I refer to statements inferring that I had supported Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's candidature as Prime Minister.

"As I had repeatedly stated, I am against any form of cooperation with individuals who are known to be corrupt and was part of the kleptocratic administration which the Pakatan Harapan Government had worked hard to rid off.

"As a matter of principle I had conveyed this to the Bersatu Members of Parliament in the meeting yesterday.

"I did not sign any Statutory Declaration in support of any individual.

"In fact I left the meeting early to allow for a free debate among members of parliament from Bersatu to choose whomever they feel is suited for the post of Prime Minister.

"And as I had stated before, while I am not prepared to work with those who are corrupt from Umno, I can accept them individually for so long as they are proven clean. Perhaps Muhyiddin is more relaxed towards this approach.

"This morning I had a meeting with leaders of Pakatan Harapan.

"I am now confident that I have the numbers needed to garner majority support in the Dewan Rakyat.

"I am therefore prepared to stand as prospective candidate for Prime Minister.

"This decision will be conveyed to the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong," said Dr Mahathir.

Six party leaders including Muhyiddin are expected to see the King at 10.30am today to state their support for the Bersatu president as the next PM.