Senator Muhammad Zahid Md Arip when debating the royal address at the Dewan Negera today added that Mahathir’s dilemma was that he was unable to express his joy publicly.

“Mahathir must be the happiest man but he cannot express that happiness.

“He did not want Anwar to replace him (as prime minister). He also wanted to curb DAP. Both have been achieved successfully,” said Zahid, who was appointed as a senator after the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government came into power.

Zahid also clarified in his speech that he was not behind the infamous “Sheraton Move”.

“I wish to correct the allegation made against me. I was not the mastermind of the Sheraton Move.

“But I admit I was part of the move, with a few others, to block Anwar and DAP, with the blessing of the seventh prime minister (Mahathir),” he said.

Mahathir resigned as prime minister after MPs from Umno, PAS, PPBM and some from PKR had gathered at a political meeting in a hotel that was dubbed the “Sheraton move”.

Muhyiddin was later sworn in as prime minister on March 1, following what has been described as the longest week in Malaysian politics.