GE15: Anwar's downfall is that he thinks he is loved by all, says Dr M

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. – Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's repeated attempts to become prime minister have failed because he thinks he is loved by the public, says Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

He said this was the reason Anwar, who is also Pakatan Harapan and PKR president, failed to secure the majority to form the government.

"He imagines that the people love him, but actually, they don't.

"This is why he has never succeeded in his attempt to become the prime minister," said Dr Mahathir during a ceramah in Kampung Pandan on Monday (Nov 14).

Asked if he held grudges against several political leaders who were not seen to be aligned with him, Dr Mahathir said he looked solely at their ability to serve the rakyat.

He cited his decision to appoint Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as his deputy prime minister.

"He (Abdullah) supported Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah in his contest (for the Umno presidency then) against me.

"Despite this, I still gave Abdullah a chance to serve as my deputy," Said the former two-time prime minister.

Separately, Dr M was critical of the delay in registering Gerakan Tanah Air (GTA) as a formal coalition, alleging that it was deliberate.

"As a result, we have to use the Pejuang logo in the GE15.

"They hope in doing so, they can confuse the voters into not voting for us," said the GTA chairman

GTA is made of Pejuang, Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia, Barisan Jemaah Islamiah Se-Malaysia and Parti Perikatan India Muslim Nasional.