The nomination of PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as prime minister will only lead to further erosion of support for Pakatan Harapan, said former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

In a video posted on social media, the Langkawi MP said Anwar was seen as an individual with many enemies and any decision to propose him for the highest position in the government would cause people to leave the coalition.

For this reason, Dr Mahathir said he saw Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal as the most suitable candidate for prime minister and that he would give strong support to the Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan) president who is also Semporna Member of Parliament.

"So, it would seem he (Anwar) wants to be the prime minister. And we can give it to him. But he has many enemies (and) we have insufficient numbers.

“We have to increase the numbers. If he puts his name, I don't think many would join. In fact, there will even be certain people who are now with us who will abandon us,” he said in the video recording.

On Anwar's 'stubbornness', Dr Mahathir said he saw Mohd Shafie as the most suitable person to hold the post of prime minister if Pakatan Harapan succeeded in regaining Putrajaya.

He said Mohd Shafie was seen as a politician who was loyal to the struggle against the kleptocrats and would never rebel.

"We have made a decision to nominate Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal because he is a strong supporter of the struggle who never wavered.

"And we think the people of Sabah and Sarawak will support this because this is the first time someone from Sabah or Sarawak can be prime minister.

“I will support 100 per cent. I am going to campaign for Shafie. And I will explain why we chose Shafie,” Dr Mahathir said.