‘Appeal on bended knees’

Resign from coalition, repent and you may join, Dr M tells Barisan MPs

PUTRAJAYA: Barisan Nasional MPs must resign from the coalition and support the government if they wish to join Pakatan Harapan, says Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The Prime Minister said the MPs should also demonstrate clear remorse and humility.

“If they leave the party and become neutral and support the government, and they appeal on bended knees to join us, we will consider,” said the Pakatan chairman.

Speaking to reporters after chairing the coalition’s presidential council yesterday, Dr Mahathir said there was no plan to accept Barisan MPs en masse.

“There are those who want to join in masses. We cannot allow that, as then they would be bigger than us.

“They can enter one by one after they have left Umno, be independent elected representatives and we will study when they apply to join our parties,” he said.

Dr Mahathir revealed the numbers intending to join were in the hundreds as some of the elected representatives intending to join came with followers numbering up to 50.

“We will see the quality of those who want to join and not those who support robbers.

“If they are simply elected representatives, we will study – nothing is automatic. There is no blacklist but we will follow what happened in the courts,” he said.

Dr Mahathir also said Jeli MP Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamad was accepted into Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia as he knew the latter was not happy when he was in Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s Cabinet.

“When Mustapa was in Najib’s Cabinet, he was not happy; he used to meet me.

“He was afraid. Many are afraid of Najib. I am also afraid,” joked Dr Mahathir.

He also reiterated that he would keep his promise to step down after two years to give way to Parti Keadilan Rakyat president-elect Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

“My promise is that I will step down (after two years). Do you remember when I did not keep my promise? I am the only dictator who resigned,” he said.

“But if Anwar gives me the permission to stay on two and a half years ... but my promise is a promise,” said Dr Mahathir.

On questions of how things were currently between Anwar and him, Dr Mahathir jokingly posed a fighting fist at Anwar seated next to him.

“I wanted to fight him but he smiled at me,” said Dr Mahathir.

In response, Anwar said: “I have no problem (with Dr Mahathir). The media (asking questions) is the problem.”

This was the first time Anwar attended the council meeting.