Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who had initially ruled out contesting in the next general election but has since softened his stance, is now flirting with the possibility of contesting in Pekan against Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

Mahathir said he would step in if there were no other suitable candidates to contest in the federal constituency.

"If there are no suitable candidates, then I will have to contest in Pekan...