To drive home his point that sacking the second most powerful man in the nation is not a simple task, former inspector-general Rahim Noor enlisted the help of coconuts.

“The appointment and sacking of a deputy prime minister are not like picking a coconut… all based on recommendations of the then prime minister,” he said.

Rahim was responding to former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who appeared to blame the police for his decision to sack his then number two Anwar Ibrahim in 1998.

Mahathir also said if he could turn back the clock, he would not have given Anwar the marching orders.

However, he added, the police provided him with the evidence and his mistake was to follow the law.

Speaking to Utusan Malaysia, Rahim said he was puzzled by the Mahathir's statement.

“I do not know why he (Mahathir) said that. I cannot understand his thoughts. The police have no power under the law to sack anyone,” he added.

Apart from the prime minister's recommendation, Rahim said, the appointment and removal of a deputy prime minister also required the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

He also pointed out that the powers of the police are in accordance with the Police Force Commission as enshrined in the Federal Constitution.

Anwar has always blamed Mahathir for his sacking and subsequent incarceration. He also ignited the Reformasi movement to push for the former prime minister to step down.

Anwar also accused Mahathir and those close to him of fabricating the sodomy charge against him.

The two have since reconciled and Mahathir is now the chairperson of the opposition coalition Pakatan Harapan while Anwar serves as its de facto leader.