A Penang Umno leader has highlighted that Dr Mahathir Mohamad has no seat to contest in the next general election, and alleged that the former premier was merely indulging himself by becoming Pakatan Harapan chairperson.

"Mahathir was simply syok sendiri (self-indulgent) when appointed as Harapan chairperson when he has no parliament seat," Penang Umno state liaison committee chief Zainal Abidin Osman said in a statement today.

As such, Zainal claimed that Mahathir and PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim were “political tools” for DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang “to garner Malay votes”.

"This is DAP's sly political strategy, use Malays to destroy Malays as previously mentioned by superman Hew Kuan Yau," Zainal recalled.

Zainal was referring to Hew's remark during the Sarawak state elections last year, when he told voters to back DAP candidate Abdul Aziz Isa, saying the latter would "screw the Malays", "screw the corrupt Malay officials" and "screw the PBB (Parti Pusaka Bumiputera Bersatu) pok kai (scum) themselves".

Zainal pointed out that Anwar is now in prison, while Mahathir is no longer an MP.

He further called upon Umno supporters not to be deceived by Lim’s "sly political trickery", alleging that he would seize the chance to become prime minister if Harapan won the 14th general election.

He said that Lim a "dictator" who held power in DAP for 52 years while those who disagreed with him were allegedly "axed".

Zainal told Lim to stop denying that he had harboured ambitions of becoming prime minister since joining politics in 1969.

"His ambitions will be realised should Pakatan Harapan win in the 14th general election," said Zainal.

Zainal said it is almost certain that DAP will obtain the most seats during the 14th general election compared to other parties in Harapan.

"Would DAP reject the post of prime minister if the party wins the most seats in GE14?" he asked.