GOT a question for Dr Mahathir Mohamad?

Then meet the Pakatan Harapan chairman in person and ask whatever comes to mind at a question-and-answer session starting next week.

The sessions are scheduled every week, and details on Harapan baru: policy talks will be announced soon.

Speaking at the Perdana Leadership Foundation today, Dr Mahathir said he will open himself to the public every week to answer any question about PH, from its manifesto for the next elections to the opposition coalition’s policies.

“We want the people’s feedback… if it is asked in the policy talk, I will answer what I can, even about the muftis, you can ask.”

Dr Mahathir said PH had already drafted a manifesto, but it had yet to be approved as fine-tuning was still needed.

He said the manifesto was based on:

Helping government servants;

Helping government retirees;

Improving the Bumiputera economy;

Addressing the rising cost of living;

Addressing corruption;

Helping youth;

Strengthening women;

Reducing reliance on foreign workers;

Creating new jobs and businesses; and,

Restoring Malaysia’s sovereignty.

“We have to update almost every second, as everything changes. All kinds of new things are happening that we did not expect,” said Dr Mahathir.

“Like them launching IMAMS. Launched in the morning, cancelled in the evening. This shows how incompetent they are in discussing the matter in the cabinet, and introducing it to Parliament without thinking it through.”

Using the judiciary as an example, Dr Mahathir said legislative, executive and judiciary powers must be separated to avoid conflicts of interest.

“We find that some things are clear (in the judiciary), but the decision made is wrong.

“Thing like, a government officer cannot hide evidence. We found that there are three reports by Bank Negara Malaysia, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and Public Accounts Committee under the Official Secrets Act (OSA).”

He said the OSA was used wrongly to hide criminal evidence, when it should be used to make more diplomatic decisions.

“Like when we are going to establish relations with some country (and it is sensitive to announce it immediately).

“The OSA is not to hide evidence of a crime. We see the attorney-general making up his own version of the truth. He is misusing his power, as in the end, it is up to him to bring the matter to court.”

On claims in July last year that he was planning to overthrow the government, Dr Mahathir said he was trying to do so via the democratic process.

Pertubuhan Minda & Sosial Prihatin Malaysia president Ramesh Rao last year filed a police report against Dr Mahathir, accusing him of attempting to overthrow the government.

“All over the world, people overthrow bad governments. I’m not instigating anything. All I’m saying is, if you have a bad government, overthrow it via the democratic process,” said Dr Mahathir.

“Even in an authoritarian country, people try to overthrow the government. But, this stupid boy who doesn’t understand politics lodged a report, claiming that I am trying to overthrow the government.

“Of course I am trying to overthrow this kleptocratic government. This boy wants a kleptocrat because, maybe, he gets money from them.”

Dr Mahathir said Malaysia was currently up to some US$900 billion (RM3.6 trillion) in debt, and would soon go bankrupt if it continued under Najib Razak’s administration.

On PH de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim filing an application at the Federal Court to regrant the powers of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, he only said that he was not notified of Anwar’s intentions.

“We have not discussed this matter, but we want to know from him the reason why he wants to do that, and if it is something compatible with PH’s fight, we will adopt it.”

Anwar is seeking leave under Article 4(4) of the Federal Constitution to question the validity of amendments made in 1983, 1984 and 1994 that removed the King’s powers to give final approval for bills passed by the Dewan Rakyat.

The amendments were made when Dr Mahathir was prime minister and Anwar, his deputy. – January 3, 2018.