The irony of restoring a "dictator" the Reformasi movement once fought to remove may be a stumbling block to Dr Mahathir Mohamad making a comeback as prime minister.

PKR, which yesterday failed to achieve a decision on a prime ministerial candidate at a politburo meeting, had said the party needed to consider the "history and principles of the Reformasi struggle."

This was despite some PKR leaders pushing for Mahathir’s candidacy, with parliamentary whip Johari Abdul claiming that the party would have no qualms about accepting the proposal if it received the blessing of de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim.

PKR leaders declined to reveal whether they have consulted Anwar on the matter.