He said about seven months ago, he had advised the two-time former prime minister to take on the role of an elder statesman for the developing world, but Mahathir rejected it.

“I told him rather than continuing to be involved in Malaysian politics, he should take on the role of an elder statesman for the developing world. As usual, he rejected my advice,” said Jomo at a talk organised by the Oxford and Cambridge Society of Malaysia.

Mahathir, who lost the Langkawi seat and also his deposit at the last general election, officially joined Putra as an advisor early this month. The party is led by long-time ally Ibrahim Ali.

Earlier this month, Mahathir described Anwar Ibrahim’s government as a “dictatorship” after the cancellation of a rally for a “Malay Proclamation”.