'I apologise to the rakyat' - Tun Dr Mahathir

In fact, in a special message broadcast live today, he also apologised if his resignation was a wrong decision.

"As a normal human being, I make mistakes. I apologise if my resignation was a wrong move," he said.

Dr Mahathir explained that there are many reasons he decided to resign and that he felt that he had support from all sides to the extent that he was unable to choose a side.

"I resigned because I have been accused to be megalomaniac. So, I resigned because I don't see power and position as "be all and end all".

"For me, power and position is 'a means to and end', or it can be means for one to achieve their objectives. But, our objective is sure for our own goodness.

I saw that to politicians, both the victors and the losers, what was most important to them was which party would rule.

In truth, I had promised to resign to allow the Dewan Rakyat to decide who would be my replacement. If it is true that I still have support, then I will return. If not, I will accept whoever is chosen.

So, the opportunity to change the leadership is there. I however feel that since I have the support of both sides, it is not yet time for me to resign," he said.

Dr Mahathir also explained that if he receives the support, he would return as prime minister.

"Otherwise I will accept whoever is elected," he said.

On Monday, Dr Mahathir handed over his resignation letter to Yang Di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah.