Bersatu deputy president Mukhriz Mahathir has claimed that his father, Pakatan Harapan chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad, is a man of his word.

“He says what he means, he means what he says," he told a press conference in Petaling Jaya this evening.

Mukhriz was responding to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak who said Mahathir might not relinquish the prime minister's post to Anwar Ibrahim if Harapan wins the coming polls.

Describing this as “absurd”, the Bersatu leader said Umno leaders are now prone to making statements which do not make sense.

"Of late, I have seen several statements by Umno leaders that are totally absurd and ludicrous.

"For example, this statement by the prime minister, whose credibility is basically zero now. No one takes him seriously," he added.

There were also reports claiming that he (Mukhriz) would contest in Selangor and that Bersatu will contest under DAP's ticket, noted the former Kedah MB.

Since the government pledged to formulate laws to curb fake news, he said they should kickstart with these items.

Earlier today, Najib said Mahathir would not relinquish the prime minister's post to Anwar as he considered all other leaders unsuitable for the job.

The premier also noted that if Mahathir decided to pass the baton to Anwar, then that would result in the prime minister and deputy prime minister's posts falling into the hands of a husband-and-wife team.

Kedah seat talks done

Mukhriz, who is also Kedah Pakatan Harapan chief, also said Kedah had concluded their seat negotiations and all the state leaders of four parties had inked the agreement.

The Pakatan Harapan presidential council had endorsed their agreement, he added.

He, however, did not divulge details as to which parties got the four disputed state seats - Guar Chempedak, Pantai Merdeka, Kulim and Gurun.

Overall, he said Harapan had settled their seat negotiation in Perlis, Negeri Sembilan and Johore, while Perak, Melaka Terengganu, Kelantan, Pahang and Selangor remained unresolved.

On Feb 20, Harapan chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad revealed that seven states had yet to settle their seat negotiations and had given until today to do so.