Pakatan can sack me if they want: Mahathir

PETALING JAYA — Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on Thursday (Nov 21) said the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition is welcomed to sack him from his post if they think it is the best decision for the country.

Dr Mahathir was responding to questions from the media over the possibility of a power transition after the Bersatu candidate was defeated in a wide margin in the Tanjung Piai by-election.

In a related question, he also thanked PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for dismissing rumours that PH component leaders are planning to oust Dr Mahathir.

Mr Anwar, who is also the Port Dickson Member of Parliament (MP), told reporters in parliament that a vote of no-confidence against Dr Mahathir had never been raised by any member of the PH presidential council or other senior coalition leaders.

“It is up to the party. They can sack me if they want," said Dr Mahathir.

“Thank you (Anwar). But if anybody wants to do it, they can do so. We are a free, democratic party and country. Anybody can move a vote of no confidence, or even a vote of confidence for me,” he told a press conference after chairing the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) supreme council meeting on Thursday.

When asked about the support he has, Dr Mahathir remained calm and even joked that although people did not love him, they still like him enough for him to remain as Malaysia's prime minister.

“So far nobody has punched me, they all salam (shake hands with) me. Wherever I go people will take pictures... (and) selfies with me. I think there are still people who like me. Not love me, but like (me)” he said.

On Monday, several PH lawmakers have called for Dr Mahathir to quit after the by-election which saw the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) wrestle back the Tanjung Piai Parliamentary seat with over 15,000 majority, the heaviest losses by the coalition since 2018.

Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Abdul Karim said Dr Mahathir should emulate David Cameron, who resigned as the UK Prime Minister in 2016, for failing to prevent the United Kingdom from leaving the European Union (EU).

Kapar lawmaker Datuk Abdullah Sani Abdul Hamid said the Pakatan leadership is currently without any solid policies.

Klang DAP MP Charles Santiago reportedly said Dr Mahathir’s position should be discussed in PH Presidential Council meeting. MALAY MAIL