Dr M: I gave one name, rulers had no issue

 

 In a rare instance, Dr Mahathir Mohamad appeared to be on the same page with his arch-nemesis Anwar Ibrahim.

The former premier revealed that during his tenure, he had only submitted a single name to the palace to be considered for the menteri besar's post.

"Throughout my time, it was always one name only. I never had any problem with any of the sultans," he said when asked if the monarchs had ever requested for more names to be submitted.

However, Mahathir did not let the opportunity slip to take a swipe at the Anwar-led Pakatan Rakyat.

He said perhaps the opposition bloc is getting the royal cold shoulder because it "annoyed" the state ruler.

"You can't annoy people and expect them to co-operate with you. They annoy not only the sultan but also many other people with their bickering," he added.

PKR and DAP incurred the wrath of the Selangor palace by insisting on submitting a single name, PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, for the menteri besar post despite the sultan requesting for more names.

The palace retorted with a stern reprimand, accusing PKR and DAP of being insolent and defiant.

Both parties have since apologised.

Mahathir also said that it is "not acceptable" to have a "remote controlled" MB in the state.

 

"You want to appoint someone who is going to take orders from someone else?" he said, refuting however that his objection has anything to do with Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail's gender.

 

"I have no problem with females, even my wife is female," he said cheekily.

 

Mahathir also said that it is "up to the sultan" who he wants to appoint but did mention that if the person appointed does not hold a majority, the individual can be voted out through a vote of no-confidence.

 

"That is according to our system," he said.