SG BESAR POLLS Dr Mahathir Mohamad is admitting he was a corrupt dictator, when he chose to work with Amanah, said an Umno minister.

Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek said this is because many of those in Amanah, including party president Mohamad Sabu, were among his harshest critics in the past.

"It's as though Mahathir is admitting what Amanah leaders have been saying about him in the past, about being 'Mahazalim' (all cruel), swindling Bank Negara, and tales of (alleged corruption of) his children.

"It's as though he is admitting that these are true," Shabery said at a press conference in Sungai Besar today.

He was commenting on Mahathir hitting the campaign trail on behalf of Amanah here yesterday, and in Kuala Kangsar today.

Shabery said by working with Mahathir, Pakatan Harapan and PKR in particular, is accepting all the accusations the former premier has made against former opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim.

"If they can be with Mahathir it means what has been said and done by Mahathir is true and Anwar deserves to be in prison because PKR members themselves have lifted Mahathir."

During his time as prime minister, Mahathir had sacked Anwar as his deputy on allegations of corruption and sodomy.

Anwar in a letter to PKR members, had warned them to be wary of working with Mahathir.

The PKR de facto leader lamented that some party leaders were in cahoots with Mahathir and former finance minister Daim Zainuddin who were elitist and staunch defenders of cronyism.

He warned that working with them could derail PKR's struggles.

Anwar said although party leaders were authorised to negotiate on the Citizens' Declaration, it had turned out to be a flawed Mahathir document.

Related stories

Mahathir admitting he is corrupt dictator by working with Amanah

Don't vote Umno for disrespecting royals on NSC Bill, says PKR MP

Come June 18, what message would voters send to Najib?

Zahid on his alleged RM230m: Shut up Dr M, or be called senile

Najib's princely snub, more 'Cina babi', chicken sacrifice and 'dedak'

Sg Besar deep sea fishermen caught in 'waves' of uncertainty