KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 14): Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad told a press conference today that the Perikatan Nasional government may fall tomorrow at the vote for the third reading of Budget 2021.

Should the government lose that vote, he hopes Members of Parliament (MPs) would form a government that puts the people first. 

He said this today at a press conference he jointly held with long-term political nemesis in Umno, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, who is also Umno's chief adviser.

However, the Langkawi MP did not elaborate on why he thinks the budget may not be passed at its third reading.

"Tomorrow, the MPs will have to vote for the third reading of the budget. If the government loses, we will have no government. If a new government is formed, we hope it is a government dedicated to serving the country and the people," he said.

Meanwhile, Gua Musang MP Tengku Razaleigh, better known as Ku Li, echoed the same sentiment, saying the current government and Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin are illegitimate.

Asked if he is considering joining Dr Mahathir's new political party PEJUANG, given that he was sitting down with a member of the opposition at the press conference, Ku Li just said he was "sharing the platform with Tun purely because I want to make sure we have a legitimate government".

When Dr Mahathir was asked if he was hinting at the formation of a unity government, the former premier merely said, "You can call it whatever you want".

"If a government is not united, it won't function," he added.

He also said he had discussed with Ku Li on how to return Malaysia to its former glory — as one of the 'Asian Tigers' — and initiatives that should be in place to push the development of the country.

He said both of them have extensive experience in politics and governing a country, which they believe can contribute towards the development of Malaysia.

He also said he was not seeking support from any MPs. Rather, he only hopes that the lawmakers will be able to see the bigger picture and be sincere in supporting the country and the people.

"If the 222 MPs really do love the country, they must not put their parties or themselves first," he said.

As for Ku Li, who was asked if he would be able to pull support from those in Barisan Nasional and Umno, the Gua Musang MP just said: "Maybe".

A question was also posed to the duo on whether another change in the political scene would result in the people suffering due to political instability.

To this, Dr Mahathir said the people are already suffering now, adding that "the people want to see a new government that will help the rakyat".

He also maintained that if he is a part of the new government, he would still not work with Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

As to whether he would be Prime Minister of this possible new government, he said, "That is for the MPs to decide for themselves".