Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad had offered his successor Anwar Ibrahim to join the administration by way of a senatorship, said PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution.
In an interview with Malaysiakini, Saifuddin said Mahathir made the suggestion on May 13, three days before Anwar received his full pardon and release over his sodomy conviction.
"When (Mahathir) came to visit Anwar, I was at the ward with them. Mahathir invited Anwar to become a member of the administration and wanted to appoint him as a senator.
"In a polite manner, Anwar said since Wan Azizah (Wan Ismail) is the deputy prime minister, it's better for him not to be part of the administration," he said.