Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad once sought Umno treasurer Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor's help to "rescue him" from Pakatan Harapan's component parties, the latter has claimed.

"When Harapan led the country for 22 months, Mahathir was appointed the prime minister, but just as a puppet, to the extent that he sought my help to 'rescue' him and leave Umno.

"Come here help me, I can't stand with the cabinet. I can't take it...