Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (pic) says if the opposition wins, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is the most likely candidate to be prime minister. ― Picture by Yusof Mat Isa

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 27 — Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has named Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as the Opposition's most likely candidate to be prime minister.

The former prime minister said this was contingent, however, on Muhyiddin being confirmed as the president of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia.

“At the moment we are not saying anything except that if the Opposition wins, the most likely prime minister will be Muhyiddin,” he was quoted as saying by The Star newspaper.

Dr Mahathir also added that the chairman of PPBM must be consulted on policy matters to ensure that the prime minister does not act unilaterally.

He claimed that the Cabinet was not sufficient safeguard against this as ministers were beholden to the prime minister.

The former PM is the chairman of PPBM.

“The future prime minister will not have a free hand because in the new party (Pribumi), we have not only the president but also a chairman,” he was further quoted as saying.

PPBM was registered last month and is seeking to cooperate with Pakatan Harapan parties to take on the ruling Barisan Nasional in the next general election.

The party consists primarily of Umno leaders who either were sacked or resigned to join the new group, including Dr Mahathir’s son, Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir.