Former Malaysia premier Mahathir Mohamad has lashed out at his successor.

Muhyiddin Yassin, the current eighth prime minister, got his current job because he was willing to work with Najib Razak over myself, Mahathir said on March 7, Malaysiakini reported.

His comments came as he was speaking at a community event in Jitra, Kedah.

Mahathir and his wife Siti Hasmah were hosted by their son, Kedah Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir and his wife Norzieta Zakaria.

Muhyiddin is willing to work with leaders facing corruption charges

Elaborating on why the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government fell, Mahathir stated that it was due to other parties backing Anwar Ibrahim during a critical moment, and Muhyiddin's willingness to work with UMNO leaders undergoing corruption trials.

Mahathir highlighted that Bersatu's leaders had also asked him to reject PH, but he refused on the grounds that they had initially backed him.

"Muhyiddin didn't want to wait. It has to be now -- we exit Harapan and form a Malay government", he further stated, according to Malaysiakini.

While Mahathir said that he was fine working with Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS), it was impossible for him to work with Najib and UMNO, a "kleptocratic government" who is "the enemy".

Mahathir recounted what transpired next: "Then, Harapan rejected me and put Anwar as the PM candidate. By the time they backed me again, it was too late."

Party is now split between Mahathir and Muhyiddin

Mahathir further stated that his political party, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), is now currently divided between himself and Muhyiddin, The Malaysian Insight further reported.

Mahathir is the party's chairman while Muhyiddin is the party's president.

Mahathir had previously resigned from his position, but this was rejected by the party's supreme council and he eventually returned to his post.

Mahathir added that only the party's members can decide who will lead the party.

He also noted that some members of his party have since accepted forming a government with part of the UMNO leadership and Najib.

Referring to Muhyiddin carrying out the "divorce" within the party, Mahathir said: "When a friend stabs your back, it hurts."

Bersatu has set March 16 as its nomination day for leadership positions, while party members will cast their votes on April 18.

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