PAKATAN HARAPAN is making headway convincing Pahang folk to vote opposition, thanks to its chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

His audience at a ceramah in Kuantan yesterday night agreed the former prime minister of 22-years added credibility to the opposition bloc’s claims on issues like the rise of living costs, goods and services tax (GST), 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB)‘s financial exploits, and  Tabung Haji’s dubious investments.

On a makeshift stage at the back of a truck, Dr Mahathir pledged to abolish the GST should PH form the government.

That was greeted with loud cheers from the 8,000 people who had turned up to hear him speak.

Rahim Pandak, 35, said he was convinced Barisan Nasional was not the coalition it used to be.

“Even Mahathir has left BN, they are not doing very well. People are angry with them and the state they brought our country too,” he told Malaysia Decides after the event.

Entrepreneur Abdul Nuqman Abdul Mubin, said the GST was killing his business. He applauded Dr Mahathir’s pledge to abolish it.

“The country was in a good state before GST but now it is bad. Najib does not care for the people. He is corrupt,” he said.

Nuqman said Dr Mahathir might have his shortcomings, but he was working hard to save the country at the age of 93.

“He loves the country. That is why he is fighting for the country now. He gives us the spirit to fight back even though we know this is a BN stronghold.”

Oil and gas engineer Ragunathan Raju said BN had been in power for too long.

“People are burdened by the cost of living and the GST; we need a change of government. They have been in power for 60 years,” he said, adding that people should forgive Dr Mahathir for his past mistakes and support him.

The GST tax was introduced on April 1, 2015 over objections from the people, who staged protests and rallies.

Dr Mahathir is against the government led by caretaker prime minister Najib Razak due to its mismanagement of 1MDB and federal funds. – May 3, 2018.