KUALA LUMPUR: PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said he already knew an act of sabotage would be taking place six months before the Sheraton Move, which resulted in the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan government.
He said he was informed of the conspiracy by four members of parliament from Umno.
When he first heard about the matter, he said he spoke to Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
"Muhyiddin said this was an opportunity to set up a Malay-Muslim government. But I asked him how about the Chinese, Indians, Ibans and the Kadazans?
"I know the Sheraton Move would not have happened if not for the two or three culprits
"When it happened, Mahathir (Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad) thought they all would back him (as prime minister) but Umno and Pas retracted their support," he said during a special question and answer session with the media in the Sembang Kencang programme, yesterday.
He said that the culprits who orchestrated the Sheraton Move did not have the numbers to move away and form a coalition government with Barisan Nasional and Pas, hence they used government authorities to pressure the other members of parliament.
He also alleged that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and Inland Revenue Board Of Malaysia were used to carry out their plan.
"Their aim was to stop Anwar at all cost (to become Prime Minister)."
However, in the final PH meeting before their government collapsed, Anwar voluntarily asked Mahathir to stay on as prime minister for as long as he pleased.
He said there were intense discussions over fixing a date for the transition of power from Mahathir to him, but he eased the situation by saying that he was willing to wait as long as it happened in orderly manner.
"I was the one who said, it is ok Tun (Mahathir), if you want to say after Apec (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation), do not give any specific date.
"I give my assurance we will not demand, you can carry on. That was my decision."