BANGI: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today blamed the simple majority obtained by Pakatan Harapan (PH) during the 14th General Election (GE14) for the failure of the then federal government in fully carrying out its reforms agenda.

The former prime minister said despite having a reforms agenda, PH could not proceed with implementing Constitutional reforms since the political pact did not secure two-third majority in the 2018 general election.

"Everyone talks about reforms but what is the proposed reforms? Reformists will want to do all sorts of reforms but we were not capable of it at that time.

"If we succeeded in forming the government with just (a majority of) two seats, how are we supposed to amend the Federal Constitution? 

"To make a change, we must have two third majority in Parliament and at that time we didn't have, for us to push for reforms," he said during Hard Talk with Dr Mahathir session here today.

Dr Mahathir was asked to comment on the statement by PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who suggested the former was not a reformist.

Although PH had big dreams for reforms, Dr Mahathir said the political pact did not have the capability and requirements needed to execute the reforms.

"For example, the call by PH to abolish the mandatory death sentence. It could not be done since any amendment to the Constitution must obtained the majority support in the Parliament.

"We can't make reforms to the Constitution without a two third support. We need to have strong numbers, to make Constitutional amendments," he said.

Dr Mahathir said the 22-month stint of the then PH government was "too short" for the political pact to transform the nation.

"But now if (Gerakan Tanah Air) is given the time and if we win two third majority then we will be able to carry out more of the needed reforms.

"We, however, must remember that reforms are not necessarily good all the time.

"We need to study the proposal (to implement reforms agenda) and evaluate it properly before going ahead with implementing the agenda," he said.

Earlier today Anwar was quoted saying that PH government administration was tough for the 22 months it lasted because it was led by a leader who is not a reformer.