This follows Anwar’s comments earlier this week that investigations must be carried out on any Umno lawmaker wanting to jump ship and join PH component parties.
Anwar had made the remark following Jeli MP Mustapa Mohamed’s decision to join PPBM after quitting Umno.
“If Anwar is serious (about eradicating corruption), ‘buang dulu’ (get rid) of those within PH who are corrupt, especially Mahathir and Daim,” said Batu Pahat Umno division chief Puad Zarkashi, referring to the prime minister and his top adviser.
In a Facebook post, Puad attached a 2014 video where Anwar reportedly said: “Daim is the most corrupt man in the history of Malaysia.” He added that the former Permatang Pauh MP had claimed Daim “has banks in Africa and Eastern Europe”.
He went on to claim that Anwar had also said that he was “bribed with the position of prime minister” by Daim while he was in the Sungai Buloh prison after losing his sodomy trials.
Puad said it was Anwar who claimed that there was a written agreement on the matter.
Following Mustapa’s decision to quit Umno and join PPBM, Mahathir’s media and communications adviser, A Kadir Jasin, had claimed that over 40 Umno MPs would soon switch over to PPBM. He claimed they had met PPBM top leaders in recent weeks.
Umno information chief Shamsul Anuar Nasarah said PPBM was spreading rumours of more MPs quitting Umno to prevent Anwar from succeeding Mahathir as premier.
Puad said he disagreed with those in the opposition who felt that Mahathir should stay on as prime minister. He said it is “much better” to support Anwar “so he can do internal cleansing within PH”.
He said this includes charging Mahathir and Daim for alleged corruption, reopening investigations into finance minister Lim Guan Eng’s corruption cases and probing the “extraordinary wealth of Mahathir’s children”.
“The point is that Anwar needs to act fast. If he is slow, Mahathir will probably charge him first and Anwar will not be able to become prime minister,” Puad said.
Under a deal by the four PH parties – PKR, DAP, Amanah and PPBM – Mahathir would step down as prime minister after two years and make way for Anwar.
Mahathir has repeatedly said that he would comply with the agreement.
Daim has previously stated that he has been cleared of all counts of alleged corruption or bribery, including by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and Umno, of which he is a former member. He was sacked from Umno earlier this year.