FORMER prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, expressing regret over antagonising Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, suggested that the prime minister is now seeking revenge for the failed power transition in 2020.
Dr Mahathir, in the TIME magazine interview, added that Anwar is a “smart operator” and alleged corruption in Anwar’s administration. He also said Anwar is cut from the same cloth as jailed former premier Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
Moreover, Dr Mahathir noted that the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government in 2020 prevented a planned power transfer to Anwar.
Dr Mahathir resigned as prime minister in February 2020 amid speculation he would lead Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia to exit PH and form a new government. He stated that after losing his position, he could no longer fulfil the power transfer to Anwar.
“Before he could take over from me, the government collapsed, so I lost my position. I cannot give him something that I myself no longer had,” he was quoted as saying by TIME.
This followed the 2020 collapse of the PH government, triggered by a PKR faction led by Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali aligning with Bersatu, UMNO and PAS to form the Perikatan Nasional coalition.
Furthemore, Dr Mahathir pointed out ongoing investigations by Malaysia’s Anti-Corruption Commission targeting his sons, Mirzan Mahathir and Tan Sri Mokhzani Mahathir, and his late ally Tun Daim Zainuddin.
Furthermore, Dr Mahathir also labelled Anwar as “cut from the same cloth” as Najib. Dr Mahathir did not mince his words when it comes to Najib, whom he lambasted for the 1Malaysia Development Bhd corruption scandal.
Anwar denied targeting Dr Mahathir, emphasising his government’s anti-corruption efforts. — May 3, 2025
