Selangor Menteri Besar Azmin Ali has found an unlikely ally in Rizal Mansor, the aide to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's wife Rosmah Mansor.

In a Facebook posting this evening, Rizal said he agreed with the PKR deputy president's reminder to Dr Mahathir Mohamad about Anwar Ibrahim's position in Pakatan Harapan.

“I agree with Azmin's reminder that Mahathir must respect Anwar as the de facto leader of the opposition coalition which is higher than the chairperson of Harapan (Mahathir's post),” he added.

He said Mahathir must listen to and respect Anwar's decision on negotiations with PAS even though the latter was now a prisoner.

Rizal said Mahathir must do so if it is true the former premier no longer harboured a grudge towards his once heir-apparent whom he sacked as deputy premier in 1998.

“Pity Anwar who still has the ambition to become prime minister. Mahathir should not hijack the opposition coalition and make his son Mukhriz the seventh PM.

“Mahathir ruined Anwar's ambition to be the fifth prime minister (succeeding Mahathir), he (Anwar) would not be willing to wait to be the eighth prime minister (after Mukhriz).

“Therefore, Mahathir must listen to Anwar, just for this time only,” he added.

Earlier today, Azmin issued the reminder to Mahathir when commenting on the latter's remarks concerning Anwar's letter from prison.

Azmin said as de facto leader of the opposition coalition, Anwar had the right to advise Harapan.

Yesterday, Mahathir said Anwar's letter caused problems for Harapan as it opened the door for PKR to continue negotiating with PAS to form an electoral pact.

The letter came in the wake of Harapan's presidential council deciding to end talks with PAS and to prepare for three-cornered fights in the upcoming general election.

The opposition and PKR are divided over this issue.

Those who wanted talks to continue claim that three-cornered fights would benefit BN whereas those opposed to it argue that the window for such negotiations has closed.