"Mahathir's kiss a kiss of death" - Salleh Said Keruak

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's 'surprise' attendance in court as a show of support to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today was not shocking, Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak said.

The UMNO treasurer said the only reason the former premier made a friendly show in court towards Anwar – his former deputy turn political rival – was to court Pakatan Harapan.

"This is what we would call political expediency. It just shows how desperate Mahathir has become.

"Mahathir knows that his new party, Pribumi (Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia), cannot go far on its own. So he needs to latch onto Pakatan Harapan like a space shuttle needs a rocket.

"That is why Mahathir is trying to build a bridge with Anwar – to court Pakatan. Mahathir finally admits he does not really have the strength to make his party a success. He needs to tumpang (depend on) on Anwar and Pakatan," Salled said in a WhatsApp message to Astro AWANI today.

Salleh said today's incident was in spite of what Dr Mahathir and Anwar have been saying about each other for the last 18 years.

"Mahathir shaking Anwar's hand today was like what happened back in 1998, one day before Mahathir destroyed Anwar. Mahathir's kiss is a kiss of death," he added.

Dr Mahathir today turned up at the KL High Court to attend the hearing of an application filed by Anwar to challenge the National Security Council (NSC) Act 2016.

It was the first time that the two leaders met face-to-face in 18 years.