Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, 96, said on Saturday that he is ready to become prime minister for the third time if there is no other suitable candidate for the job.
Mahathir Mohamad, head of the "Homeland Movement" coalition, made it clear during a dialogue session in Bangui, south of the capital, Kuala Lumpur, that he would take the position of Malaysian Prime Minister for only one year, and not for the entire term, if he was chosen for the position.
He added that "if the people's continued insistence that I take the post of prime minister again, I will find it difficult to think about my interests only, however, if there are no suitable candidates and the insistence of the citizens continues, I will accept the position."
But the former Malaysian prime minister said he preferred convenience over engaging in the country's politics directly, and added that he would continue to play his role "as a reference point or advise others on matters affecting the country".
Mahathir became prime minister of his country between July 1981 and October 2003, after which he voluntarily announced his relinquishment of power and his retirement from politics at the age of 76.
"My time is up," he said at the time. "I will not take on any official responsibilities after October 31, 2003, because it is important for Malaysia to be led by a new generation with a new mind."
But in May 2018, the opposition alliance led by Mahathir won the parliamentary elections by obtaining 112 seats in parliament out of a total of 222, which ensured his return to the position from May 2018 to March 2020, thus becoming the longest-serving prime minister. In the country, a total of 24 years.