Umno supreme council member Ismail Sabri Yaakob believes that former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad no longer has the strength to lead the soon-to-be-formed new political party, since he has long retired from politics.

Ismail argued that Mahathir was not like leaders such as Umno veteran Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah and PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim, who have their own influence and strength.

“When Anwar was sacked from Umno, he was a strong deputy prime minister and with his influence in terms of support, he was able to undermine Umno’s strength at the time.

“But Mahathir has long retired. I think he no longer has the strength, if you compare him with Anwar and Tengku Razaleigh when they left Umno,” the rural and regional development minister told reporters at Wisma Felcra in Kuala Lumpur today.

He also said the new party will not have any effect on the rakyat and that only “those who are frustrated” would join the party.

“The new party won’t really have an effect on the rakyat. Maybe those who are quite frustrated will join the party,” Ismail said.

Nevertheless, Ismail reminded both Barisan Nasional leaders and members not to underestimate the new party.

“We must continue forging ahead even if we consider that Mahathir’s party and Pakatan Harapan will not be able to undermine our strength,” he said.

Meanwhile, fellow Umno supreme council member Bung Moktar Radin said he prays that Mahathir will continue to be healthy to lead the new party.

Bung added that although the new party can campaign in the next general election, ultimately, the country’s leadership will be determined by the rakyat.

BN, he said, had no qualms in facing the new party as Umno in particular had witnessed former leaders leaving the party to form other parties.

“We are a democratic country; Umno doesn’t have any problem in facing this new party. Looking at history, (former prime minister) Tunku Abdul Rahman died while he was outside of Umno and we had Anwar and Tengku Razaleigh (leaving Umno).

“Umno has gone through various challenges and in the end, the rakyat will decide (in choosing leaders),” he said.

Yesterday, Mahathir confirmed that there were talks about forming a new party.

Although he will be a leader in the new party, the former premier said he may not necessarily be the president.

Mahathir also announced that a new group or coalition would be formed to further the Save Malaysia movement's objectives.