POLITICIANS have a bad reputation now as they are more interested in self-preservation than in the welfare of the country, Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today.

The former prime minister said politicians were only interested on whether they could become prime minister.

“The people also wonder about the ministers with high pay. After I resigned (as prime minister), the salaries of ministers shot up to RM70,000 a month. 

“That’s why everyone wants to be a minister, they want position and not to serve the nation,” he said without referring to any individual or party.

Dr Mahathir was responding to a question on Agenda Awani on why there cannot be a political truce even as the people are looking for a way out of the crisis the country is mired in.

The Langkawi MP said the focus of politicians was not on giving service (to the people) but to serve themselves.

“That’s why the people hate politicians now. They are fed up with them.

Dr Mahathir said in Pejuang, they have already informed those interested to advance themselves that it is not about being “wakil rakyat” (politicians) but to serve the country.

“We want to return this country to being free from corruption. That’s why in Pejuang most of them are not politicians but professionals.

“They are concerned and have a sense of responsibility towards the nation. This is Pejuang and we want to save the country from corruption.”

Dr Mahathir said that people who take an anti-corruption stance must reject all forms of vote buying.

“Vote for those free from corruption. That’s why I started Pejuang, to clean the country from corruption.” – August 4, 2021.