Ex-prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has reportedly announced the formation of a new political party, which is expected to join a new Opposition coalition force.
The New Straits Times’ Fazleena Aziz reports that Dr Mahathir, said the coalition would ‘operate as a single entity against Barisan Nasional to win the next general election.’
Parties reportedly in the new Opposition lineup are DAP, PKR and Parti Amanah Negara. It has however, yet to decide on a name, Dr Mahathir reportedly said.
“We want to form a new government for the country,” he was quoted as saying as a press conference in Putrajaya today.
The NST reported that Dr Mahathir said his new party would be formed ‘as soon as possible’, and that he would be one of its leaders.
Dr Mahathir, 91, Malaysia’s longest serving prime minister, added that he would not contest the next general election, due to be held in 2018, or position himself as a candidate for prime minister.
When asked if the three former UMNO leaders – Muhyiddin Yassin, Mukhriz Mahathir and Shafie Apdal – would join him in the new party, Dr Mahathir said he was “very open” to the idea.
Last month, Najib announced the UMNO’s supreme council’s decision to sack Muhyiddin, who was then deputy president, and Mahathir’s son, former Kedah Chief Minister Mukhriz, from the party.
Both have been tough critics of Najib, calling for his resignation following allegations of graft and mismanagement at 1MDB.
UMNO vice-president Shafie later quit the party in protest against his suspension pending an investigation into his conduct in questioning Najib’s handling of 1MDB.
In February this year, Mahathir quit UMNO, saying it was seen as “supporting corruption” under Najib’s leadership. — With text from Reuters
