Tun Dr Mahathir's full speech text

As we all know, I had submitted my resignation letter as the 7th Prime Minister to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Nevertheless, I was later summoned to meet the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, and after a more than an hour-long discussion, the King consented to my resignation and later, decreed that I should become the interim prime minister.

There are many reasons for my resignation but suffice to say, I felt that I had support from all sides to the extent that I was unable to choose a side.

In addition, there were also accusations that I never meant to let go of the position and was power-hungry.

As such, I resigned because I do not see power and position as the “be all and end all” to my goals. To me, power and position are a means to an end, or a tool to achieve an objective. And this objective is, of course, for the betterment of the country.

As a result, I resigned because 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.

I asked to be given time. But my party, Bersatu decided to leave Pakatan Harapan. There are also those from other component parties who are set to leave. With this, the Pakatan Harapan government would be dissolved.

If BERSATU were to support Pas and UMNO, then this would have the effect of allowing the parties that had previously lost to then set up a government. This government would then be dominated by UMNO, as the biggest party.

I can accept UMNO members who leave the party and join another party. UMNO would form part of the unity government as a party. This I could not accept, so I had to resign.

As a human being, I cannot avoid making mistakes. I seek forgiveness if my act of resigning is wrong. The Yang di-Pertuan Agong decreed that I should be appointed as the Interim Prime Minister.

I am aware that whatever I do now is being opposed and rejected by many; some may give their support. I am not looking to become popular. I am only doing something which to me would be best for the country. Politicians and political parties place too much emphasis on politics to the point that they forget that the country is facing economic and health safety issues.

In my opinion, right or wrong, politics and political parties have to be put aside for now.

If I am permitted, I will try to establish an administration which is not aligned to any party. The only priority would be national interest.