Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad is an inconsistent person for saying he declined to become the prime minister if the Pakatan Harapan wins in the coming 14th general elections (GE14), said Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He said Dr Mahathir claimed he was forced to become prime minister only after getting comments from some quarters after the Harapan named him as prime minister.

"He (Dr M is sometimes) consistent and inconsistent. When Pakatan Harapan announced he would be the prime minister and received comments on the contrary to his nomination, he said he was being forced to do so.

"I don’t want to interfere with other people’s party,” he told reporters after opening the ‘Multaqa Permuafakatan’ programme participated by mosques officers and religious teachers of Bagan Datuk district today.

Speaking in Johor Bahru recently, Dr Mahathir reiterated he was not keen to be the prime minister but was asked to hold the post if the opposition wins the GE14.

Dr Mahathir claimed he wanted to rest but was unable to do so until today since handing over his post to Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Last Sunday, Harapan named Dr Mahathir, who is Bersatu chairperson, as the prime minister if the opposition pact wins in GE14 with Parti Keadilan Rakyat president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail as his deputy.

- Bernama