LANGKAWI: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (pic) claims that the plane he had boarded for a flight to Langkawi was sabotaged.

UPDATE: Liow orders investigation over Dr M's aircraft sabotage claim

Sinar Harian reported the Pakatan Harapan chairman as saying that just before takeoff, the pilot announced that the plane had been damaged and immediate repairs could not be made.

"I should have arrived in Langkawi before Friday prayers but the plane was damaged. Luckily, the pilot was able to detect the damage – if not I would have died in a crash," he said.

Dr Mahathir said that he asked some friends to lend him a plane to get to Langkawi but claimed that they were "prevented from doing so by certain individuals".

"Fortunately, one of my friends was willing to and I was able to make it in time for this event and for Nomination Day tomorrow (April 28)," he said in his speech during the Pakatan Harapan Women's Hi-Tea Programme together with the Chinese and Indian community here. – Sinar Harian