PETALING JAYA: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and five MPs aligned to him announced that they are sticking to their guns in supporting Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan) president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal as a candidate for the post of prime minister.
In saying this, the six in a statement today declared that the decision by the Pakatan Harapan (PH) leadership council to name PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as candidate for the top post, did not involve them or their friends from Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) and Warisan.
They also said that DAP and Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) made an about-turn despite initially backing the proposal of naming Mohd Shafie as prime minister candidate.
"We made a decision to stick with Warisan as an independent bloc inside and outside of Parliament. We will not join forces with any coalition," said the statement's chief signatory Dr Mahathir.
The former prime minister, had previously proposed Sabah Chief Minister Mohd Shafie as PH's candidate for prime minister should it return to power, with PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Mukhriz as his deputies in a meeting with Warisan, Amanah and DAP on June 25.
He further stressed the decision to name Anwar as prime minister in the Pakatan Harapan Presidential Council meeting had nothing to do with him or his comrades from the splinter of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) or Warisan.
The Langkawi MP who turned 95 today also called out Amanah and DAP for backtracking on their decision.
"Naming Shafie as our PM candidate is a positive move as he would not only be capable of garnering the support of the majority but is also the best way forward to forge better ties with Sabah and Sarawak."
The five other co-signatories of the statement are Jerlun MP Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir, Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, Simpang Renggam MP Dr Maszlee Malik, Kubang Pasu MP Amiruddin Hamzah and Sri Gading MP Datuk Dr Shahruddin Md Salleh.
The bloc also opposed any bid being made to replace Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof and would continue in its efforts to bring about a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin in Parliament.
The statement was however mute as to whether they were also opposed to the replacement of Deputy Speaker Nga Kor Ming from DAP.
Muhyiddin is reportedly scheduled to move for Dewan Rakyat Speaker Mohamad Ariff and Nga to vacate their positions.
It was reported that former Election Commission (EC) Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun and Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said would be nominated for the posts on July 13, according to an Order Paper issued to all MPs.