As political battlelines continue to be redrawn, Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Anwar Ibrahim have issued a joint media statement condemning the National Security Council (NSC) Act.

The pair claimed the legislation enforced by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's administration threatened the democratic system.

"We have observed that almost all the main institutions such as the police, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, Attorney-General’s Chambers and Bank Negara are controlled by him (Najib)," read the brief statement which bore the signatures of the two former bitter foes.

Apart from this, Mahathir and Anwar said the Act also denied the right, be it for officers or the public, to a post-mortem to determine the cause of death during a period when the Act is invoked.

"This Act has also sidelined the powers and role of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Conference of Rulers in the important issues of security and freedom of the people.

"Because of this national crisis, we together with the people oppose this Act and want to bring change and reformation to save the rights and freedom of the people," they added.

The joint statement was distributed to the media by Mahathir's aide, former Batu Kawan vice-chief Khairuddin Abu Hassan.

Mahathir, who was prime minister for more than two decades, had sacked Anwar as his deputy in 1998, accusing him of immoral conduct.

However, Anwar claimed that Mahathir and those aligned to him fabricated the allegations.

After 18 years, the pair met earlier this month and shook hands in court.

The NSC Act has met with criticism due to it vesting immense powers in the hands of the prime minister and authorities.