Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad claims that the ongoing Selangor crisis is a result of PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim’s ambition to become prime minister.

With control of Malaysia’s richest state, Mahathir claims it may increase Anwar’s ability to influence BN parliamentarians to defect and help Pakatan Rakyat become the government.

“Don’t think that he just wants to become menteri besar, to Anwar even the menteri besar post is insignificant…

“You could have snap elections, but I don’t think it would solve the problem as long as Anwar doesn’t become the prime minister.

“If Anwar becomes the prime minister for a month, I think he would be satisfied.

"But then he wouldn’t want to let go (of the post)...,” he told reporters today when asked to comment on the ongoing Selangor menteri besar crisis.

On Jan 27, PKR kicked off the ‘Kajang Move’ by triggering a by-election in the Selangor state seat in the bid to make Anwar the Kajang assemblyperson, and then install him as Selangor’s menteri besar.

However, the plan fell apart when he was convicted of sodomy just prior to the Kajang by-election nomination day, disqualifying him from contesting.

His wife and party president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail contested instead and won.

She is now vying for the post of menteri besar with PKR and DAP’s backing, but the incumbent Abdul Khalid Ibrahim has defiantly refused to step down, and was subsequently sacked from the party.

As for Anwar, he remains the Permatang Pauh MP while his conviction is being appealed at the Federal Court, which will hear the case in October.