Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad will campaign for Anwar Ibrahim in the Port Dickson by-election following speculation of strained ties between the former nemeses-turned-allies.

The 93-year-old leader told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur this afternoon that he would hit the campaign trail with other Pakatan Harapan leaders on Oct 8.

"Pakatan Harapan leaders and I will be in a big event for the campaign. We hope that the Port Dickson voters will return home and vote," he said.

 

Mahathir, who previously said he normally does not join by-election campaigns, explained that he was doing this because there has been much talk regarding his relationship with Anwar.

"I think there are a lot of people making all kind of remarks against me, so I'll do that (campaigning for Anwar). They are talking about my quarrel with Anwar and all that... and that people see I don't support Anwar because of the quarrel," he said.

 

The last time Mahathir canvassed for votes in a by-election was for BN's Bukit Gantang campaign in 2009.

Meanwhile, Mahathir also responded to allegations by certain quarters that Anwar had used the government machinery, as well as attended a military function graced by the Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu.

"It wasn't a government function but a veterans'. These people are already retired. It's not a function carried out by the defence minister but he was there as a party member," he said.

In a press conference today, PD independent candidate Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan said there are candidates who broke the third promise in Bersih's pledge by using the military platform, speaking in front of the army and using official vehicles.

He did not name anyone.

The third promise on the pledge states that candidates will “not use resources, vehicles, staff, programmes, ministry machinery, departments, agencies and bodies related to the federal, state and local government for campaigning work”.

Another independent candidate, Stevie Chan, had also lambasted Anwar for using government machinery and gifting voters, such as announcing that he had secured two private projects for Port Dickson if he wins.