Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad stated that he is willing to serve as prime minister for a third time if "the people want it."
This was in answer to a question asked to the 97-year-old at the September 24, 2022 Gerakan Tanah Air (GTA) forum.
Gerakan Tanah Air is an alliance consisting of four parties: Pejuang, Parti Perikatan India Muslim Nasional (Iman), Parti Barisan Jemaah Islamiah Se-Malaysia (Berjasa) and Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia (Putra).
He stated, "Even while I'm resting, I may serve as a consultant or counselor [to the prime minister]."
Accepts if there is a strong demand for it.
However, he emphasized that it would be "tough" to focus solely on himself if the circumstance demanded it.
"If it is insisted upon, I will be forced to accept it [...] However, only if the people request it. It is not my desire for Pejuang and GTA to become prime minister; I did not build them up for this."
He stated that he would not be able to serve the whole five-year tenure.
The Langkawi representative stated that he might only be able to serve for a year.
Two-time prime minister
The MalayMail said that Mahathir is the only person to have been appointed prime minister twice in Malaysia.
His first term lasted 22 years, during which he was the leader of the then-ruling alliance Barisan Nasional.
When he announced his resignation in 2020, his second term as chairman of the Pakatan Harapan coalition had lasted less than two years.
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