Malaysia: Mahathir Mohamad to form new party after expulsion

Two-time former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Moham anunced Friday he is forming a new ethnic Malay party more than two months after he was sacked from his previous party during a political struggle with his successor.

Mahathir, 95, quit as prime minister in protest in late February after fellow party member Muhyiddin Yassin withdrew ir Bersatu party from ruling coalition, triggering its collapse less than two years after a historic victory in 2018 national polls.

Muhyiddin was sworn in as new prime minister in March with a new government supported by ex-Prime Minister Najib Razak's corruption-tainted party that was ousted in 2018.

Mahathir, who was sacked from Bersatu along with his son and three or senior members, said Muhyiddin h hijacked party and helped revive what he called a kleptocratic government.

He accused Muhyiddin of using money to buy support in Bersatu, causing it to stray from its goal of fighting graft. Mahathir said he believes many grassroots members are unhappy and still support him.

“We feel that we must continue our fight and that is why we are forming a new party," Mahathir said at a news conference.

He didn't reveal name of party but said its main nda will be similar to Bersatu's original struggle to ericate corruption and kleptocracy.

Mahathir said new party will be independent and t align with opposition coalition led by Anwar Ibrahim, who was initially slated to succeed him in ir previous government.

Mahathir, who ruled for 21 years until 2003, me a comeback in 2018 polls to help Anwar's alliance defeat Najib's coalition that h ruled Malaysia since independence from Britain in 2018.

He became prime minister before resigning in February.

Mahathir's anuncement Friday comes amid a disagreement with Anwar's alliance over choice of ir prime ministerial candidate.

Mahathir has rejected Anwar's candidacy and supported ar politician.