DR Mahathir Mohamad is opposed to the proposal of the Kedah menteri besar to plant ketum for income because use of the plant could damage health.

The Gerakan Tanah Air (GTA) chairman said wealth should come from halal sources.

“Let’s not look at money like that, use our money for halal things, don’t seek money in illegal ways,” said Dr Mahathir.

“It is not good to use it to destroy the Malays,” he said yesterday in Kampung Bukit Berangan, Kota Kuala Muda.

He was in town to campaign for Pejuang deputy president Marzuki Yahaya who is standing in the Sungai Petani parliamentary constituency.

Dr Mahathir was commenting on Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor’s proposal to allow ketum to be grown and exported if Perikatan Nasional (PN) won the state.

The former prime minister said the idea showed Sanusi’s party PAS was more concerned about money that the people.

“They only see money. These people are ready to sell the country; they don’t care as long as they get money.

“This is a new practice brought by Najib (to whom) cash is king. He worships money. It is okay to sell the race, sell the religion, sell the country, as long as you get the money,” said Dr Mahathir.

Dr Mahathir, who is standing in Langkawi, earlier said political parties who used religion to gain power were unfit to govern.

“We find that there are parties who use religion to gain power but when they get power they don’t know what to do with the power.

“They cannot be given the authority to govern because they are not fit to govern. We see that the states ruled by them are the poorest in Malaysia.

“In one state that they rule, the people have not been able to get water for 20 years. These are religious people (in government) but sometimes they use religion incorrectly,” he said, alluding to the PAS government of Kelantan.

The PAS states of Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu will hold state elections next year instead of simultaneously with the general election. – November 12, 2022.