PRIME Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad today dismissed suggestions that he had affiliations with those who received energy contracts in the past.

He said contracts are awarded to those with viable proposals.

“I reject this suggestion that these players were related to me. I ask all my relatives, did you get anything from me?

“Because it never happened,” he said after attending the International Greentech & Eco Products Exhibition & Conference Malaysia today.

Dr Mahathir was responding to insinuations that he had affiliations with energy players.

He said when the government gives them (contracts) to someone, it is branded as cronyism.

“Then we don’t have to give them to anybody, then you can’t say anything,

“But, if you don’t give them to anybody at all, the country cannot progress. Please remember that.

“We will help as much as possible, but now the amount of support from the government is not as big as before.”

He said before many do not know about the business of renewable energy, but now people know very well there are a lot of opportunities from government policies.

“If they come up with proposals, if the proposals are viable, we will support them. But I will also ask for certification.” – October 10, 2019.