Prison authorities have barred Pakatan Harapan chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad from meeting Anwar Ibrahim, who is recovering at the Hospital Rehabilitasi Cheras in Kuala Lumpur, this evening.

Speaking to reporters, Mahathir said he was informed that the instruction was from the Home Ministry.

“I feel sad. I just wanted to meet him, to thank him for not objecting, in fact, supporting me as a candidate (for prime minister),” he added.

On Sunday, Harapan had named Mahathir, 93, as its candidate for the prime minister's post if the opposition coalition wins federal power in the next general election.

Mahathir also expressed sadness that the current administration is preventing hospital visits.

“Our country is a democratic country. Such things never happened during the time when I was a dictator. I never barred anyone from meeting whoever.

“But (now)... You can't even meet people, can't even visit sick people. This is the condition of our country,” he said.

Anwar, who is serving a five-year prison sentence for sodomy, underwent a surgery on his right shoulder.

Mahathir also branded Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak a “true dictator,” which he said today’s events served to illustrate.

“Everyone should support bringing down Najib. He is the true dictator, which can be seen in his actions if not his statements.

“They call me a dictator, but I have never done anything like this,” he added.

Besides Mahathir, Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar, and Bersatu Youth chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman were also present at the hospital.

Nurul Izzah told reporters that about 30 prison officers, led by the head of the Prisons Department, were at the ward to prevent Mahathir from seeing her father.

When asked whether he would write to the Home Ministry to request permission to see Anwar, Mahathir said that doing so would be futile.

“In our government, if we write letters we get no answer, we apply to register Pakatan Harapan we get no answer, we send reminders we get no answer. No response at all.

“Yes, we will try again. I can send them 100 applications, or at least send them the Citizen's Declaration, but there will be no response,” he claimed.

Mahathir later took to Twitter to praise Nurul Izzah for being his “tour guide.”

“Today, Nurul Izzah was my ‘tour guide’ to see my old friend. My friend in battle. My friend who has made many sacrifices, to whom I want to say ‘thank you.’”