Dr Mahathir worried he can’t fulfil expectations

Chan Kok Leong Chan Kok Leong Updated 7 years ago · Published on 22 Oct 2018 8:00PM · 7 Comments

Dr Mahathir Mohamad did not hold back at the Sinar Harian forum today, saying his second tenure as prime minister is a lot harder because the Pakatan Harapan government had inherited a rotten government machinery and poor government finances. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Afif Abd Halim, October 22, 2018.

PRIME Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad continued his media blitz when he tackled a variety of issues ranging from media freedom, ministers’ performance and his former party Umno at a forum in Shah Alam today.

Despite being the world’s oldest prime minister, he showed no signs of his age as he took on veteran journalist and former Media Prima chairman Johan Jaafar, who acted as the moderator in the Sinar Harian forum today.

“When I stepped down in 2003, I just wanted to rest and bide my time. But just weeks later, I felt uneasy about the new administration and groups of people came one after another to ask me to do something,” said Dr Mahathir, when asked if he had envisioned coming back to power 15 years later.

The Kedahan officially stepped down after his first tenure as prime minister on October 31, 2003 after 22 years in power.

Today, he again said that his second term as prime minister has been much harder as Pakatan Harapan had inherited a “spoilt government machinery and poor government finances”.

He told the packed hall that he was worried that he could not meet the people’s expectations.

“People think I can do everything but I make mistakes, too, although I try to use my previous experience as a guideline. But the current situation is not easy.

“I’m not a magician. I’m just an ordinary person who tries to solve issues with ideas and discussions,” said Dr Mahathir.

The Pakatan chairman told moderator, former Media Prima chairman, Johan Jaafar that he has had to adapt to his new political partners and that it would be easier if he could be 'a dictator', as his critics had once labelled him. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Afif Abd Halim, October 22, 2018.

He noted that Malaysians had expected prices to fall immediately and former corrupt leaders to be jailed as soon as the new government took over.

“But the debt and damage were unexpected.”

Dr Mahathir, who was once called a “dictator” by his political rivals, said he has had to adapt to his new political partners who had different ideologies, referring to the Pakatan Harapan pact.

“Previously, I would be confident that what was suggested would be carried out but there are now four different parties with different ideas and aspirations.

“If I can be a dictator, it would be easy. But if we want to succeed, we have to listen to other people’s views too,” said the Pakatan chairman.

On criticism about his cabinet being inexperienced and lacking focus, Dr Mahathir said it was better than having a team of thieves.

“My legacy was a cabinet with experience (in 2003) but (now) other than myself and maybe Muhyiddin Yassin, the others are all new.”

He said there are plans for the ministers to undergo more training at Intan, the public service training institute. – October 22, 2018.

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Comments

  • Tun M...I am praying daily for your long life...Only you can do the right thing Sir...GOD BLESS YOU TUN...

    Posted 7 years ago by Hantoo Blacklord · Reply

  • Tun , pls take care your health . God bless .

    Posted 7 years ago by Roy Charan · Reply

  • Tun M, training at Intan is not enough. The Minister must have brains, good assessment ability and foresight. You cannot just try out anyone as it involves all 34 million Malaysians. Better you get rid of those who cannot perform. If they cannot perform after 100 days, that means they are not good enough. The rakyat cannot wait for you to try them out.

    Posted 7 years ago by T E · Reply

  • god bless you and your family. as long as you try your best.

    Posted 7 years ago by . . · Reply

  • I REALLY DON'T EXPECT DR. MAHATHIR TO EXCEED HIMSELF, BEYOND MUCH WHAT HE IS ALREADY DOING, AFTER HAVING UNEXPECTEDLY DERAILED THE SEEMINGLY UNSTOPPABLE UMNO-BN ABUSES, EXCESSES &CORRUPTION..

    Posted 7 years ago by MELVILLE JAYATHISSA · Reply

    • BY DOING THE IMPOSSIBLE IN UNSEATING THE PREVIOUS GOVT HE HAS THROWN MALAYSIANS A VALUABLE LIFELINE TO BETTER THEIR & THE COUNTRY'S LOT. He has probably rescued the Malays from their own folly, if I am not mistaken..

      Posted 7 years ago by MELVILLE JAYATHISSA · Reply

  • Train your successor. He must be as matured as you Tun.

    Posted 7 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply