KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 26): Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today said he will leave it to the Dewan Rakyat to decide who will be his successor as prime minister.
In his special message broadcast on national television, the interim prime minister said he would be willing to reassume the premiership if he has the majority support.
If this pans out, the premier gave his assurance to establish a non-partisan national administration, with priority accorded to national interests.
“I feel, rightly or wrongly, that politics and political parties have to be set aside for the time being. Only national interests will be accorded priority,” he said.
“If it is indeed true that I still have the majority support [in the Dewan Rakyat], then I will return [as prime minister]. Otherwise, I will accept whoever is chosen as my successor,” he added.
In the five-minute message, Dr Mahathir also expressed regret and apologised to the Malaysian citizens for his shock resignation, which may have been viewed by some as “wrong”.
Admitting that he is not spared from committing mistakes as a human being, Dr Mahathir said his priority has always been in the best interest of the nation.
“Politicians and political parties are often too focused on their political game that it has become their priority, at the expense of the country’s economy and the people’s wellbeing,” he added.