PUTRAJAYA is misusing executive powers to crackdown on detractors, former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said in Dewan Rakyat today.

He accused the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government of trying to intimidate its opponents, especially those from his faction in Bersatu.

“The government now is using its executive power to eliminate objections to its rule. 

“We find that some Bersatu Blackout members have been investigated repeatedly. Several opposition members’ houses have also been raided and questioned,” the Langkawi MP said when debating the royal address. 

Bersatu Blackout is a campaign that Dr Mahathir and other lawmakers sacked from the party have started to explain to Bersatu grassroots the reasons that caused the change of federal government in late February.

Dr Mahathir further accused the government of hindering opposition party members from attending rallies, but did not specify details.

He also touched on the release or discharges of those who were facing corruption trials, as well as the use of government machinery and funding for political activities and to harass critics.

“It is wrong to use government machinery to intimidate the opposition. Even though this gives a picture that people support the government, they actually do not. 

“This is what happened in the 14th general election. But even though a lot of money was spent, the people did not support them,” Dr Mahathir said, referring to the then Barisan Nasional government. 

Such actions showed that the PN government was blurring the lines between the executive, legislative and judiciary, he added.

“I realise the government is powerful. But the use of power is not free from the rule of law. If the power is used outside the law, it becomes the crime of abuse of power.”

Bersatu has now sacked six MPs, including Dr Mahathir, for not supporting Muhyiddin. The latest MP to be sacked is Sri Gading’s Shahruddin Salleh, Muhyiddin’s former political secretary.

The other sacked MPs include former deputy president Mukhriz Mahathir (Jerlun), Amiruddin Hamzah (Kubang Pasu), Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (Muar) and Maszlee Malik (Simpang Renggam).

Last weekend, a planned nationwide roadshow by Bersatu rebels kicked off in Kedah, with its next stop being Perak. – July 21, 2020.