Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said a proposal to appoint his son, Datuk Seri Mukhriz, as a deputy prime ministerial candidate did not come from him.

According to Dr Mahathir, he has no right to object because of his own interest when Mukhriz's name was proposed for certain positions.

"I know I would be criticized when naming my son Mukhriz as Deputy Prime Minister II.

"The proposal did not come from me.

"In a joint statement with Mohamad Sabu, president of Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) and Lim Guan Eng (DAP) on June 22, Mukhriz's appointment as DPM II was already mentioned.

"I'm in a catch 22 situation," he said in a statement on Monday.

Dr Mahathir explained that when he first became prime minister, he forbade his son to be involved in politics, especially as a member of the government party because he did not want to be accused of nepotism.

"When I was prime minister for the first time, I had banned my son from participating in politics, especially as a member of the government party.

"I do not want to be accused of practising nepotism by giving privileges to my family.

"But when I am no longer the prime minister, the responsibility of keeping my good name, should not be perpetuated by my son.

"They are free to enter politics. Whether or not they are successful in politics is entirely on them.

"When Mukhriz's name is proposed for certain positions, I have no right to oppose it because of my personal interests," he added.

He also said his explanation of Mukhriz's nomination would be credible and probably unacceptable especially to his opponents.

"Whether my explanations are reliable or not, it is up to one another.

"Of course, people who are hostile to me will speak cynically. I accept this because it is human instinct," he said.

On Saturday, Dr Mahathir announced a coalition of supporters of the DAP, Amanah, Warisan and several Bersatu leaders agreed to nominate Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal as prime minister if they won the 15th General Election (GE15).

The coalition known as PH Plus also named Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as Deputy Prime Minister 1 and Mukhriz as Deputy Prime Minister II.

The DAP and the Amanah see this proposal as a new option for Pakatan Harapan in their quest to re-establish the federal government.

However, both parties think the proposal needs to be discussed at the Amanah and DAP central leadership level first.