Dr Mahathir can still play role in Pakatan, says Dzulkefly


Nabihah Hamid Chan Kok Leong

Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad says Pakatan Harapan can’t rely on its opponents’ weaknesses to win the 15th general election. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Kamal Ariffin, February 13, 2021.

DR Mahathir Mohamad can be mentor minister or senior minister if he still wants to play a role in Pakatan Harapan (PH), said Amanah strategist Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.

“This could be PH’s win-win formula for GE15 (15th general election),” Dzulkefly told The Malaysian Insight.

“As it is, PH is very clear that its prime ministerial candidate for GE15 will be Anwar Ibrahim.

“The idea that Dr Mahathir could be a temporary prime minister does not arise anymore. Although he can play a role if he wants if we win.”

Dzulkefly, who is also the Kuala Selangor MP, said that although PH won the 14th general election (GE14) because of the three-cornered strategy that backfired on Barisan Nasional (BN), and the combination of Dr Mahathir and Anwar, the coalition must move on.

He was commenting on the on-off spat between Dr Mahathir and PKR president Anwar on who should be prime minister.

The former health minister, however, said that PH could only win if there is a “grand alignment” before any “grand coalition”.

This “grand alignment” would involve getting all the opposition parties on the same page.

“Pakatan and the other opposition parties such as Warisan, Pejuang and Muda must have the same goals.

“Merely relying on our opponents’ weaknesses… is not enough. Our strategy must be based on our strengths, and we cannot take it for granted that Perikatan Nasional (PN), BN or Muafakat Nasional (MN) will break up before GE15.”

He said PH still has its strengths.

“We are bound by a vision to see a more inclusive Malaysia, where there is no ‘ketuanan’ or narrow race discrimination issues.

“Pakatan has the same goals, and a clarity of purpose and vision, unlike its counterparts.” – February 13, 2021.


Sign up or sign in here to comment.


Comments


  • Assuming that Mahathir, and by extension Pejuang has the same clout as they did in GE 14 is an extremely obvious mistake.
    Both of them will be unable to secure sufficient support. Has pejuang come out to explain how many members they have? Do they even have 20,000 members?

    Posted 5 years ago by Ashton Alexander · Reply

  • Having a tigers in the den is not a good thing. Explaining to the voters how PH with DSAI as the PM candidate will bring the greatest benefits is more important than relying on a veteran who is thought to be a
    great vote attracter. Start thinking policies matter to the voters, not personal charisma.

    Posted 5 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

    • ** 2 tigers

      Posted 5 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

    • Two squabbling cats.

      Posted 5 years ago by Arul Inthirarajah · Reply

  • Better to leave Mahathir out of the picture. He will bring more sorrows to PH.

    Posted 5 years ago by Elyse Gim · Reply