He said Umno would want the nationwide polls to be held “as soon as two or three months from now because they feel that at this moment the public still looks up to them, and the opposition is broken up, disorganised,” Associated Press quoted him as saying.

Mahathir claimed that former prime minister Najib Razak hoped to make a political comeback should Umno win, and expects that an Umno-led government would pardon him of his convictions on corruption charges.

“And when he gets a pardon, (and is) cleared completely, he can then become prime minister. He will do it. Believe me, he will do it.”

Mahathir said he believes that Malay voters have returned to support Umno, and claimed that the voters had been offered money and other incentives.

A general election is not required until September next year. However, several Umno leaders, particularly party leader Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and former prime minister Najib have pressed for earlier elections, especially after Barisan Nasional’s victories at recent state elections.

Najib is currently seeking to quash his conviction and 12-year jail sentence on corruption charges. His case is now on appeal before the Federal Court.

Mahathir said if his party wanted him to contest the elections, he would do it if he was “strong and healthy” enough to form a graft-free administration.

“I will fight, even if it is a losing battle. I will fight because I believe in principles. It’s not what happens to me. I believe in principles. I believe that this is a great country which can become a developed country, but under the crooks you will never become one,” he said.