IN a video clip released yesterday, an emotional Dr Mahathir Mohamad said he is working against time to correct his past mistakes with the hopes of rebuilding Malaysia.

In the clip, the Pakatan Harapan chairman was answering a question posed by a young girl, who was curious to know why the 93-year-old former prime minister was “still working”.

“It is because I have to do some work to rebuild our country, perhaps because of mistakes I myself made in the past and because of the current situation,” he said.

Towards the end of the 5:45-minute video, Dr Mahathir chokes up with emotion as he admits to be working against time.

“I am already old. I am past 90. I don’t have much time but within my means, I will try my very best to work together with all my friends to rebuild our nation.”

He then explained the concept of “Merdeka” to the girl and her brother, saying that for a country to be deemed free, its people had to be assured of a decent livelihood, peace and security.

The film ends with the girl giving Dr Mahathir a hug to comfort him.

Dr Mahathir is the oldest candidate running in the 14th general election.

He will be facing a three-cornered fight in Langkawi against incumbent Nawawi Hassan from Barisan Nasional and Zubir Ahmad PAS.

Dr Mahathir is re-entering politics 15 years after he retired, and will be contesting under the PKR logo, the symbol of the party of his former nemesis Anwar Ibrahim whom he sacked as deputy prime minister in 1998. – April 29, 2018.