Minutes later, the 93-year-old former prime minister tweeted: “I’m here guys. Say it to my face.”
Among the panellists at the forum organised by Malay daily Sinar Harian were opposition critic Kamarul Zaman Yusoff from Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), and psychologist Mat Saat Mohd Baki.
Many in the audience were taken by surprise, and stood up as they cheered Mahathir and his wife Dr Siti Hasmah Ali.
Mahathir later answered questions from the panellists and audience.
Among others, Mahathir said it wasn’t his wish to become prime minister again.
“But we noticed that the crowds came when I turned up for rallies, one time in Kelantan, 12,000 people turned up.”
He admitted that his long years at the top could be a factor in him being chosen by PH parties as a candidate for prime minister again.
“So I didn’t change my mind but I just responded to the demands of the other coalition parties.”
He also dismissed a claim that consensus within PH would make him a puppet, adding that he had always allowed people to have their say.
“When I was Umno president, and we had issues with Musa Hitam, everyone in the party was given a chance to speak and decide if he should be allowed back into the party,” he said, referring to Musa who served as his first deputy when he became prime minister in 1981.
He said the decision to sack Anwar Ibrahim in 1998 was also based on consensus.
“The other Umno leaders decided they didn’t want him in the party.”
Meanwhile, Siti Hasmah was asked about her husband returning to Putrajaya again.
“My main role is to look after Mahathir. That’s why I follow him everywhere to make sure he is healthy.”