Mahathir agrees to return as PPBM chairman

Malaysia's Interim Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad had resigned as Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia chairman on Feb 24, 2020. PHOTO: REUTERS

PETALING JAYA (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Malaysia's interim Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad agreed to return as chairman of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) on Thursday (Feb 27), the party's secretary-general Marzuki Yahaya said.

"During a meeting on Feb 25, Bersatu Supreme Council unanimously rejected Dr Mahathir's resignation as chairman. I conveyed the decision to Dr Mahathir for his consideration. After a discussion today, and after Dr Mahathir reconsidered, he agreed to return as Bersatu chairman effective immediately," Datuk Marzuki said in a statement.

He said that Dr Mahathir was keen to serve the party in this capacity, as he felt he had to go with the wishes of those who wanted him to continue as chairman.

On Monday, Dr Mahathir resigned as prime minister and Bersatu chairman, and he later said he had resigned after members of his PPBM party and some rebels from its former Pakatan Harapan (PH) partner, Parti Keadilan Rakyat, allied themselves with the opposition.

Bersatu then exited from the PH coalition, resulting in the collapse of the government.

Dr Mahathir was then appointed interim Prime Minister by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong until the King appoints a new premier according to the Constitution.

While Bersatu continues to pledge support for Dr Mahathir, it is mum on whether it will return to PH.

Party information chief Radzi Jidin said all its MPs expressed support for Dr Mahathir in their audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on Wednesday.

He urged Bersatu members to remain calm and be confident in the party leadership's ability to face the current political situation.

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"We are confident that the political situation can be resolved soon. God willing, our party and country will emerge stronger and more united under Dr Mahathir's leadership, " he said in a statement on Wednesday.

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