Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is disappointed that DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng has changed his mind to nominate Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan) president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal for the post of prime minister.
In an exclusive interview with The Malaysian Insight portal, the Langkawi Member of Parliament said that Guan Eng himself suggested the name of the Sabah Chief Minister but changed his mind after meeting Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
According to the former prime minister, he originally accepted the proposal to name Mohd Shafie because his own name had not been accepted by Anwar.
"So, he (Guan Eng) suggested Shafie Apdal to be a candidate and I was not involved at all. I had to agree.
"Unfortunately, even though the proposal came from him, but when he met Anwar, he changed the proposal to Anwar, not Shafie anymore.
"So, I feel very disappointed because I have agreed with the original proposal. I asked them over and over again – is it true you want Shafie? - and they said yes. But after meeting Anwar, they changed their minds," he added.
Dr Mahathir said the problem with the proposal for Anwar as prime minister was that some MPs who wanted to join them did not want the Port Dickson MP to lead the new government.
He further explained that the support of additional MPs is very critical to ensure that they have a sufficient majority to overthrow the Perikatan Nasional government led by Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
"We have a problem. Datuk Seri Anwar does not want me. Meanwhile, we felt I was able to attract the support of some Malay MPs. If we do not get their support, we will not have enough numbers to overthrow the government.
"We need the number of MPs of more than 111. We need at least 113 or 114 MPs (in the Dewan Rakyat)," he added.
On the nomination of politicians from the Borneo Islands as Prime Minister, Dr Mahathir said, it is something very positive because Sabah and Sarawak have contributed a lot to the development of the country.
He added that although in the early stages there will be problems to govern the country, it will eventually be smooth with the support of the public administration machinery with extensive experience.
Asked if the Malays in Peninsular Malaysia will support Mohd Shafie as Prime Minister, Dr Mahathir said that sentiment should be tested first.
“Shafie is not entirely from Sabah. He is married to a Malay from Kedah, and his sons also married people in the Peninsular. He never considered himself 100 per cent Sabahan. He has also served with the Federal government before,” he added.
Firdaus Azil
Tue Jul 21 2020
According to the former prime minister, he originally accepted the proposal to name Mohd Shafie because his own name had not been accepted by Anwar. - Filepic
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