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KUALA LUMPUR - MALAYSIA'S former premier Mahathir Mohamad on Saturday dismissed de facto opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim's claim that he can soon form a new government, easing worries about a change in rule that has unnerved markets.
Mr Anwar had said some ruling coalition lawmakers were ready to join the opposition, giving it enough support to form a new government by September.
Concerns about a possible change in government coupled with a challenge to the leadership of Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi have cast a pall over financial markets in recent months.
But Dr Mahathir brushed aside Mr Anwar's claim, reversing his earlier view that the assertion should not be taken lightly.
'He's not likely to get support of MPs coming over,' Dr Mahathir told reporters after giving a talk attended by about 400 people.
'That is what he claims. He makes a lot of claims. We will see in September.'
The opposition Pakatan Rakyat - a loose alliance of Islamists, a Chinese-based party and Mr Anwar's multi-racial group - won a record 82 seats in the 222-seat lower house of parliament in the March general elections. It needs just 30 seats to win a simple majority and form the government.
Dr Mahathir's remarks come as Mr Abdullah meets lawmakers in the eastern state of Sabah on Borneo island, where unhappy MPs have indicated they are ready to leave the ruling coalition if their demands are not met.
The former premier also repeated calls for lawmakers to leave the ruling coalition, and chided members of the main United Malays National Organisation (Umno) party for fearing to speak out against the party leadership.
'I find Umno members are afraid of doing anything,' he said. 'I have suggested that if they are not happy that they leave and be independent.'
After months of public criticism against Mr Abdullah's leadership, Dr Mahathir has stepped up pressure for him to quit following the March poll which saw the ruling coalition recording its worst-ever performance in its 50-year rule.
Earlier this month, Dr Mahathir resigned from Umno in an attempt to force Mr Abdullah to step down, saying he would not return to the party until the prime minister left office.
Dr Mahathir also said a move by former opposition figure Mohamad Ezam Mohd Nor to rejoin Umno could be an opposition ploy.
'In politics everything is possible,' he said. 'He may be that (Trojan horse). Mr Anwar is quite anxious to be supported by Umno.' -- REUTERS
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