KUALA LUMPUR:Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has denied allegations by Senior Minister of International Trade and Industry, Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali that the idea of establishing Perikatan Nasional (PN) came from him.

Dr Mahathir in a statement on Monday explained if it was his plan, then why should he reject the idea which will also ensure that he remains the prime minister.

"I have been told about Azmin's accusation that I was planning the establishment of the Perikatan Nasional (PN).

"I have repeatedly explained that this is not true at all because the PN is made up of kleptocrats and is backed by UMNO en-bloc.

"If I plan it, why should I reject it when it becomes a reality and if I accept it, I will definitely remain the Prime Minister as acknowledged by Azmin himself," he said.

Dr Mahathir at the same time claimed that the plan to establish PN and leave Pakatan Harapan (PH) was from Azmin himself and Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

"Secondly, if anyone is going all out in planning to form a PN Government and leave PH, it is definitely Azmin and also Muhyiddin, who get the most lucrative rewards.

"Do not forget when all this happens, Azmin's position in Keadilan and also PH is very threatened.

“Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his supporters plan and try to bring down Azmin and this has started since the election in Keadilan.

"Anwar openly supported Rafizi Ramli who opposed Azmin for the post of deputy president and when the attempt failed, there was a video linking Azmin to an illicit sexual act.

"This adds pressure to Azmin and when some of Anwar's supporters are said to be involved in the dissemination of the video, Azmin's position in Keadilan and his relationship with Anwar becomes untenable or irreparable," he explained.

The Langkawi MP also claimed that he understood Azmin's "Sheraton Move" plan even though he openly opposed it.

"This is because for him, the most important thing is to prevent Anwar from becoming prime minister. But if PH continues to rule, Anwar will definitely have the opportunity to become prime minister.

"At the same time, Azmin also aspires to be the prime minister. Because of that he joined Muhyiddin and it is very clear today, Azmin was placed by Muhyiddin as the de facto Deputy Prime Minister.

"Besides that, I am sure Azmin has made plans to form a PN government and the 'Sheraton Move' is quite long because I believe it is not easy for him to convince nine Keadilan MPs to follow in that ‘Sheraton Move’.

"And Azmin knows that if only Bersatu withdraws from PH, it is still not enough to bring down the PH government. But when Azmin participates, then directly the PH government loses its majority and falls," he said.

Earlier, Azmin claimed that the establishment of PN came from Dr Mahathir to remain as Prime Minister with the support of all MPs regardless of political party.

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.