“I think everyone is entitled to their opinion and I do not expect everybody to support me and to believe in me,” he told a forum on the theme of his Vision 2020 today.
The announcement last week of Dr Mahathir as PH’s prime ministerial candidate drew fire not only from Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders, but also from veteran activists and some sections of the opposition, including Selangor PKR.
The PH chairman however refused to comment further on reservations within PKR.
“This is an internal issue. We will discuss the matter internally.”
Mahathir also spoke in his trademark sarcasm when touching on those who compare him with former Zimbabwean dictator Robert Mugabe, who was removed in a military coup last year after 30 years in power.
“Of course, I am like him because he didn’t resign and I made a mistake because I resigned,” said Mahathir, who made way for Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in 2003, after leading the government for 22 years.
On suggestions that PKR deputy president Azmin Ali should be named as prime ministerial candidate instead of him, Mahathir said: He is very capable but he was not chosen. You must not be capable, you must be chosen.
“I don’t know whether I am capable, but they chose me.”