The Malaysian Insight

ACCUSED of propping up his son, Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today the idea to propose Mukhriz as deputy prime minister for the “Pakatan Plus” alliance did not come from him.

In his latest blog post, the former prime minister said Amanah president Mohamad Sabu and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng proposed Mukrhiz as DPM II in a June 22 statement.

Amanah and DAP are Dr Mahathir’s allies in the Pakatan Plus pact which also includes Warisan and PKR.

“When Mukhriz’s name is proposed for certain posts, I do not have the right to oppose based on my personal interests,” Dr Mahathir said in his blog.

“Whether or not people believe my explanation is up to them. Definitely my enemies will be cynical. I accept that because it is human nature,” Dr Mahathir said.

On Saturday, Dr Mahathir said Mukhriz would be one of two deputy prime ministers if Pakatan Plus successfully regained federal power.

Mukhriz would be DPM II, while PKR president Anwar Ibrahim would be named as DPM I.

Both would serve under Warisan president Mohd Shafie Apdal who was proposed as Pakatan Plus’ candidate for prime minister.

Dr Mahathir and Pakatan Harapan’s critics in Umno, however, have seized on the idea as further proof that Dr Mahathir’s quest to help PH is because he wants to elevate Mukhriz.

In today’s blog post, Dr Mahathir said Mukhriz’s candidacy had put him in a difficult position.

“I am in a difficult position. During my first term as prime minister, I forbade my children from being involved in politics, especially the ruling party.

“I did not want to be accused of nepotism, that I gave my family special treatment.”

Dr Mahathir said his children were only allowed to enter politics after he retired from his first term in 2003. – June 29, 2020.