He said this was because the council or Majlis Gerakan Negara (Mageran) had managed to solve a lot of economic and political issues that the rakyat and the government had faced in 1969, after the racial riots then.
At a live press conference, he said it was up to the government to propose to the King to set up the body but “I don’t think they will propose”.
“They feel they have everything under control, from economy, health, education and social issues, although the rakyat seem to be very unhappy,” he said.
Mahathir also said the King had asked for suggestions if elections should be held next year, to which Mahathir said it would be best if elections were held only after the country achieves 80% herd immunity.
Earlier today, he was at Istana Negara for an audience with the King, his first audience since he was appointed interim prime minister last February, when his resignation saw the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan government.
Asked who should lead Mageran, Mahathir said: “Since I was there, I offered my services if the government wants.”
Yesterday, Muhyiddin’s chief private secretary Marzuki Mohamad took aim at certain quarters who he claimed were trying to persuade the King into setting up Mageran, saying this was unnecessary as there was already a functioning Cabinet.
In response, Mahathir said the government “feels they are running the country well despite rising public anger”.
Mahathir added he related to the King how former prime minister Abdul Razak Hussein had managed to bring together the opposition to join the government and end political instability.
“Under the council, Razak had also carried out economic reforms and managed to run the country with a stronger majority. It shows that Mageran solved the problem.
“The country was quite settled for a few years after that,” he said, adding that it could also be used again now to solve the problems plaguing the rakyat.
Mahathir added that he also raised issues on health, economy, finance, political instability and concerns over jobs and education.
“Putrajaya spent billions during the Covid-19 crisis but the rakyat still don’t have jobs, and food.”
He also cited the Covid-19 numbers, stating how the 600,000 Malaysians infected throughout the pandemic and more than 3,000 deaths shows the severity of the problem.
However, Mahathir said he did not favour any snap polls following the emergency, which is scheduled to end in August.
“I told the Agong that having a general election would be dangerous, based on what transpired in Sabah, following which we saw a spike in cases.”
Meanwhile, Mahathir also revealed that he recently received a phone call from opposition leader and PKR president Anwar Ibrahim to discuss the current issues plaguing the rakyat.
“But there didn’t seem to be anything substantial. He seemed to be unable to suggest anything that could solve the problems the country was facing.
“That is why, I suggested that we should write to the Agong,” he said, adding that the King then replied “expressing his desire to see me and other political leaders.”