PETALING JAYA (Sin Chew Daily) — Former chairman of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) Dr Mahathir Mohamad and five leaders supporting him maintain the proposal for Shafie Apdal, the president of Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan), as their choice of prime minister designate.

The leaders' choice remained since the proposal made after meeting party leaders of Warisan, Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) and Democratic Action Party (DAP) on June 25.

Dr Mahathir and leaders aligned to him issued a joint statement that even the Pakatan Harapan Presidential Council had nominated Anwar Ibrahim as the prime minister designate, the decision was made without including Warisan, Dr Mahathir and other Bersatu leaders.

The statement also agreed to support Shafie as prime minister designate, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) president Anwar and Gurun member of parliament Mukhriz Mahathir as deputy prime minister I and deputy prime minister II.

The statement said the leaders agreed with the proposal as this was the way to resolve the stalemate and regain people's mandate from the current government.

"Our proposal for Shafie to be the prime minister designate is proactive as we believe he would be supported by the majority and this will enhance ties between Peninsula and East Malaysia.

"Together with Warisan, we have also decided to remain neutral and we do not have links with any political alliance," said the statement.

The leaders also stated their stand to oppose the bid to replace Dewan Rakyat speaker and would continue to table no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin in the Dewan Rakyat.

"The fundamental of our battle is to reject the return of kleptocracy," the leaders said. 

The statement was issued by Pulau Langkawi member of parliament Dr Mahathir, Gurun member of parliament Mukhriz, Muar member of parliament Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, Simpang Renggam member of parliament Maszlee Malik, Kubang Pasu member of parliament Amiruddin Hamzah and Sri Gading member of parliament Shahruddin bin Md Salleh.