KUALA LUMPUR: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad will likely contest under PKR's ticket in the upcoming national polls if Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia's (PPBM) annual general assembly remains unrecognised by the Registrar of Societies (RoS).
Universiti Utara Malaysia's political analyst Prof Dr Mohd Azizuddin Mohd Sani said it was unlikely that Dr Mahathir would run as a DAP candidate due to the socialist party's existing non-Malay grassroots support.
"No, I don't think so (on likelihood of Dr Mahathir contesting under DAP).
"Most likely PPBM will not contest in the election, because the RoS has yet recognise the party (assembly and charter) although it is already registered.
"Hence, PPBM candidates will have to contest independently or by the tickets of its allies. It is highly probable that they will contest under PKR instead.
"Furthermore, there is a recent agreement by Parti Amanah Negara, PKR and PPBM to contest under one logo, and that logo is PKR's," Azizuddin said when on the sidelines of a forum on "Communications and Media In the Advent of the 14th General Election" today.
On whether Dr Mahathir would experience friction with PKR grassroots who were staunchly against the former prime minister, Azizuddin said party de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim would be the key to pacify protests.
Azizuddin agreed that the election would not be a smooth-sailing journey for Dr Mahathir due to possible dissent from within PKR.
"Well, the party listens to Anwar. They (PKR and Dr Mahathir) will surely try their best to resolve any friction."
On Tuesday, Bernama reported that the police have been urged to investigate PPBM for allegedly submitting falsified documents relating to the party’s annual general meeting nationwide.