I pleaded with Mahathir not to resign - Anwar

3.30pm: PKR president Anwar Ibrahim returns to the party headquarters after an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Asked for his comments on Dr Mahathir Mohamad's resignation as the country's prime minister, Anwar says that he was with the premier when he decided to resign.

Anwar says that he, however, could not tell this to the media earlier as it had yet to be made public.

The politician says that he had pleaded to Mahathir to change his mind, but according to Anwar, Mahathir was unhappy that he was being associated with "those literally corrupt".

"I was with him, I was informed but I could not tell until he releases publicly. I did appeal to him on behalf of PKR and Pakatan (Harapan).

"(That) this treachery could be dealt with together. But of course, he was of a different mind, he thought (he) shouldn't be treated that manner, to associate him with working with those literally corrupt," says Anwar.

Anwar says that he also thinks that Mahathir played no part in the attempt to topple Harapan government.

"No, I think it was not him, his name was used (by) those within my party and outside, you know, using his name.

"And he (Mahathir) reiterated what he has said earlier, he played no part in it.

"He had been very clear, there is no way he will ever work with those who had been associated with the past regime."