KUALA LUMPUR — Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said on Sunday (March 8) he would only consider a meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on one condition — political leaders from Umno implicated in corruption must be gotten rid of first.

Dr Mahathir, who is Langkawi MP, was quoted saying by Astro Awani that there is no need for to meet Mr Muhyiddin to mend their ongoing political disagreement if his condition could not be fulfilled.

“He wanted to see me. I met with him previously and I have stated my stance. I never change. I made a promise not to work with leaders involved in corruption.

“Muhyiddin himself too made a promise as what we have seen in a video clip where he said he would never work with Umno.

“Now he accepts Umno as the biggest party in his government while his party Bersatu is only six original MPs whereas Umno has 51 (including those that joined Bersatu).

“I don’t see a reason why I should see him, unless he is willing to get rid of those people, maybe can meet but will consider,” Dr Mahathir was quoted saying.

Dr Mahathir also confirmed that he received a letter from Mr Muhyiddin requesting a meeting as soon as possible.

However, he said he had to decline the offer as Mr Muhyiddin has made his stance known by forming his Perikatan Nasional government with Umno MPs.

Earlier, Bersatu’s Supreme Council member Wan Saiful Wan Jan expressed hope that Dr Mahathir would meet with Mr Muhyiddin after calls from the party grassroots urged both leaders to make peace and strengthen the party.

Besides Dr Mahathir, Mr Wan Saiful also pleaded with Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir, who is Bersatu deputy president, to do the same in solving the conflict.

He said this was because all three leaders formed the backbone of the party’s formation.

Dr Mahathir resigned unexpectedly as Malaysia's prime minister last month, triggering a political crisis that culminated in Mr Muhyiddin’s appointment as the eighth PM of Malaysia leading the so-called Perikatan Nasional-GPS coalition. MALAY MAIL