"PAS is now alone. That is why they want support from (Umno president) Najib (Abdul Razak) in particular.
"PAS will not criticise Najib. As as stand-alone party with no more support, they need to seek help from Najib. Help in what form, I don't know," said Mahathir at a press conference after delivering the keynote address at a DAP-organised forum in Sekinchan.
He said this when asked whether he would also support PAS Sungai Besar candidate Dr Abdul Rani Osman if the Meru assemblyperson endorsed the Citizens' Declaration to call for Najib's resignation.
Mahathir earlier pledged his support for Amanah's Azhar Abdul Shukur who had signed the Citizens' Declaration.
Mahathir reiterated the two by-elections would not result in a change of government or its policies, but would make a statement.
"This by-election is a referendum.
"It is a move to show Najib that the rakyat have rejected him," he said.
Cuts both ways
Asked whether a victory for BN would then be seen as an endorsement for Najib, Mahathir said, "If you have a referendum you have to follow what the results are."
He, however, warned that it would lead to further destruction of the country's administration.
"People who support Najib either don't know what is happening, or they have dedak (animal feed) in their mouths.
"Whatever that may mean," he quipped.
Dedak is a metaphor for being obligated to the hand that feeds one.
PAS' campaign in both Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar have been shadowed by claims of future cooperation with Umno, although it has been repeatedly denied by the party's top leaders.
However PAS Youth chief Nik Abduh Nik Aziz was today reported in Sinar Harian suggesting otherwise, saying if Umno walks the Islamic path, "there would come a time when we can all unite".
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