My resignation forced by Bersatu’s betrayal, says Dr Mahathir

Diyana Ibrahim Ragananthini Vethasalam Diyana Ibrahim, Ragananthini Vethasalam Updated 3 years ago · Published on 13 Aug 2020 7:32PM · 4 Comments

Pulling Bersatu out of Pakatan was a betrayal of a promise made to the people who chose the party as they believed in its struggle, says Dr Mahathir Mohamad. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, August 13, 2020.

DR Mahathir Mohamad told the Dewan Rakyat today that his resignation as prime minister in February was forced by Bersatu’s betrayal.

The expelled Bersatu chairman interrupted a debate by a Perikatan Nasional lawmaker to explain the reason for his resignation that led to the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan government.

“It’s not that I wanted to resign. It looks like members of the government bench don’t understand our federal constitution.

“When Bersatu left PH, it meant the PH government fell. If we are not the government anymore, how can I be prime minister? So, how can it be that I wanted to resign when the government has already collapsed?

“I don’t know why they (PN members) still cannot understand this; how many times do I have to repeat it, as if they can’t hear or what, I don’t know,” the Langkawi MP said.

Dr Mahathir had interjected Hasbullah Osman (Gerik-PN), who was debating the supplementary supply bill 2020, saying it was unfair to accuse PN of causing the PH government’s collapse.

Hasbullah said it was Dr Mahathir’s act of resigning that first caused the PH government to fall.

The nonagenarian MP stood up to defend himself, saying it was Bersatu that triggered the collapse by leaving PH.

“When my party left PH, PH was no longer the government and all PH members ceased (to be in government) because of that move. 

“And, that move was a betrayal to our promise that we made to the people who chose us because they believed our struggle was to fight kleptocracy.

“But when we are in the government, we sabotage our own government because we want to be prime minister,” Dr Mahathir said without naming anyone, but hinting at Bersatu president and now Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, who had taken the party out of Bersatu against Dr Mahathir’s wishes.

Dr Mahathir also said he had told the king that he was not resigning of his own accord.

Muhyiddin’s faction in Bersatu formed the new government with Barisan Nasional, PAS, rogue PKR MPs and Gabungan Parti Sarawak.

Dr Mahathir and other MPs who were expelled from Bersatu have now formed a new party called Pejuang, which is awaiting official approval from the Registrar of Societies. – August 13, 2020.

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Comments

  • Still trying to justify himself...?

    Posted 3 years ago by Anak Kampung · Reply

  • Tun was merely giving the rationale that led to the collapse of his government and nothing more. Thus comments using vulgar language or any form of condemnation is very unbecoming. Well articulated comments will be very much respected n acknowledged by readers.

    Posted 3 years ago by Abdul Rashid · Reply

  • Sorry, the justification is still too weak.

    If the frogs can jump to another party and form a 'new majority'

    Great leader do not resign during crisis.

    You could have led your followers to become independent, or form a new party (like what you just did) that's affiliated with PH.

    Put it plain and simple: You've betrayed rakyat's mandate, your plan backfired, and now rakyat suffers.

    You've created Malaysians' dilemma.

    Posted 3 years ago by Tavern Folks · Reply

  • He refused to pass the baton to Anwar thats why he resigned. Until today he still cannot accept Anwar as PM. He still cannot bring himself to support Anwar. He rather PH fall than to see Anwar become PM.

    Posted 3 years ago by Elyse Gim · Reply