Prime Minister Najib Razak may do away with elections so he could rule the country permanently if he wins the coming general election, warned Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

At the launch of Pakatan Harapan’s election manifesto yesterday, Mahathir mused that the government may possibly amend the federal constitution to abolish polls.

"We joke a little, but we are in a situation that is worrying. If we do not work hard, we will lose (in the coming election).

"I am sure if Najib wins, then this would be the last election, because he would abolish all the election system," the Harapan chairperson said.

"We have heard how in other countries, leaders amended the constitution so they can be the president and the prime minister forever.

"By securing a two-thirds majority in Parliament, Najib can remain (as the prime minister permanently) and the next in line would be (his stepson) Riza Aziz," Mahathir said to the laughter of Harapan members and NGO representatives at the event.

While noting that Harapan would be able to defeat Najib, he said the opposition has to put in the effort to make this happen.

"That's why we came out with Harapan's manifesto. We are not doing this for someone else, we are doing this for our benefit too, because we are also the rakyat," he told the audience.

‘Sacrifice for common good’

The 138-page Harapan manifesto addresses the rising cost of living, the Malay agenda, affordable housing and education.

Mahathir, who is also the Harapan prime minister-designate, advised Harapan parties against harbouring personal interests if they wanted the opposition pact to continue to function as one.

"The demands of each party in a coalition would not be met 100 percent. Every party should be willing to sacrifice so we can work together.

"Sometimes we face problems in seat negotiations, or we feel we have better candidates than other parties for a seat," he said.

"(But bear in mind) that only the coalition can beat Najib."