The 92-year-old former prime minister, who has been in politics since 1945, said he was in fact tired as he had never taken a good rest from politics despite stepping down from his post in 2003.
“I am tired without a good rest,” The Star quoted Mahathir as saying.
The nonagenarian said he had never really wanted to be PH’s candidate for the prime minister’s post but that was what the coalition wanted.
“If I decline, people will say that Lim Kit Siang will be made PM,” he was quoted saying at a “Jasamu Dikenang” programme organised by Pertubuhan Kebajikan Prihatin Suara Tanjung Piai in Tanjung Piai, Pontian, yesterday.
Dr Mahathir also criticised former prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who had succeeded him in 2003.
He said Abdullah had not fulfilled his promise to continue with some of his projects namely the crooked bridge linking Johor Bahru and Singapore and the double-tracking project.
Mahathir, who is PPBM chairman, also said he had yet to decide which parliamentary seat to contest in the 14th general election although he does have strong ties with Langkawi.
However, the constituency is an Umno stronghold and Barisan Nasional won the seat with more than 12,000 votes in the previous general election.