Establishing Perikatan Nasional was Tun M's idea to remain as PM - Azmin

KUALA LUMPUR: Senior Minister of International Trade and Industry, Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali claimed that the idea of ​​establishing Perikatan Nasional (PN) came from Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to remain as Prime Minister with the support of all MPs regardless of political party.

He said the plan was made so that the 15th General Election (GE15) could be held last October but had to be postponed due to the third wave of the COVID19 epidemic.

“PN is not a back door government because there is a vacant position (prime minister).

"I did not recommend it at that time. If the incident (of Dr Mahathir resigning) did not happen - where we knock on the door to go in and get him out.

"That was not in his plan," Azmin said in an interview with The Star.

Azmin also revealed that 131 statutory declarations (SD) from MPs from various parties were presented to Istana Negara before Dr Mahathir resigned abruptly on February 23.

"Only one name for the Prime Minister - Dr Mahathir. We are doing our best to ensure that Dr Mahathir can continue (serving) as Prime Minister.

"That is the result of a meeting we held at his house (Dr Mahathir) on February 23 at 4 pm where he met with six political party leaders, including Bersatu President, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, UMNO President (Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi), Parti Warisan Sabah President, Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, PAS President, Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) Coalition leader, Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Openg and me,” said Azmin.

Azmin also refererrd to the time when the Kongres Maruah Melayu (Malay Dignity Congress) was held on October 6, 2019, where all the Malay leaders werel present except PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim who questioned Dr Mahathir's action to attend the congress along with UMNO and PAS.

According to Pakatan Harapan's previous power transition plan, Dr Mahathir will resign as Prime Minister and hand over power to Anwar who is the largest party leader in Pakatan Harapan (PH).

Dr Mahathir the cause of the political crisis

According to Azmin, the plan failed completely when Dr Mahathir resigned abruptly on February 24.

He also said that Muhyiddin acted quickly to prevent others from rushing to the palace to fill the vacancy for the post of prime minister.

"If Muhyiddin had not acted, someone may go to Istana Negara and apply to be the Prime Minister. I would not let that happen.

"The option for me and Muhyiddin is to leave PH," said Azmin, who is also the former PKR Deputy President.

When Dr Mahathir became the Interim Prime Minister on February 24 to 28 , Azmin revealed that he was working hard to get the support of MPs.

"Without support, nothing can be done. Since there was no Parliamentary session at that time and according to the Federal Constitution, the Agong had to decide who had the majority support to become the Prime Minister.

"Finally, Muhyiddin got the support. Of course, we formed a new government, not through elections but through the political crisis.

"If Dr Mahathir had not resigned on that Monday, he would remain the Prime Minister with a large majority," Azmin said