This was in response to Mahathir’s explanation of his silence during the much-publicised meal he had with Nazri on Saturday. The former PM said he was waiting for Nazri to tell him he was quitting Umno.
Speaking to FMT yesterday, Nazri, who was also silent during the get-together, said: “Ha ha ha, he still has some humour left in him. I thought he was deep in thought and was considering rejoining Umno for the third time.”
After the 1969 riots, Mahathir was expelled from Umno but was readmitted in 1972. He quit the party in May 2008 when Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was prime minister but rejoined it in 2009 when Najib Razak took over the position. He left the party again in February last year and is now chairman of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia.
On whether there was any truth to Mahathir’s speculation he might leave Umno, Nazri said: “Tomorrow might as well be the end of the world.”
He advised Mahathir to get enough rest so that he would be ready for their coming debate.
“Ask him to rest and make sure he has the energy. Come and see whether or not I’m going to be silent come April 7.”
The debate is expected to be held at the Karangkraf Complex in Shah Alam. It was originally planned for last Saturday at the Mara Junior College hall in Kuala Kangsar, but was scrapped after police rejected the venue.
Dr Mahathir: I expected Nazri to tell me he was quitting Umno