Dr Mahathir rallies Pakatan in manifesto launch

Chan Kok Leong Kamles Kumar Chan Kok Leong, Kamles Kumar Updated 8 years ago · Published on 8 Mar 2018 11:59PM · 4 Comments

Pakatan chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad is calling on the opposition coalition's component parties to rally together and work hard to win the 14th general election, saying that he wants 'to be prime minister again'. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, March 8, 2018.

IT may have been the launch of one of the opposition’s most organised manifestos ever, but Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad did not let up on the prize at the end of the race.

Instead of speaking on what the manifesto contained, the 92-year-old turned his attention to rallying Pakatan supporters and leaders to focus on the end goal.

“The manifesto is only a set of promises for voters to know what we intend to do. But it is useless if we don’t win the elections,” said Dr Mahathir.

He said there should only be one goal for all PH members and that is to win and oust Prime Minister Najib Razak from office.

“Everyone tells us that the odds are against us. There is gerrymandering, government machinery, history and even cheating and we have to work even harder than ever,” he said.

In the 30-minute speech, which resembled many of his earlier ceramah, Dr Mahathir also touched on state seat negotiations within the opposition coalition.

It was reported yesterday that there were still intense negotiations between DAP, PKR, Amanah and Bersatu over state seats in Selangor.

“Elections are not about becoming a candidate only. There is no point in becoming a candidate only to lose later.

“We need to give and take among parties, do not let selfish ambitions take control.

“Do not lose, I dream of becoming PM once again. Do not disappoint me. We need to help each other out. When we combine parties, we will become strong,” said Dr Mahathir as the hall of more than a thousand supporters laughed out loud.

Pakatan chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad says there will be no more elections if Prime Minister Najib Razak wins the 14th general election. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, March 8, 2018.

On a serious note, however, Dr Mahathir warned that this was the “fight of their lives” because if Barisan Nasional wins again, Najib wwill become more restrictive.

“If Najib wins the elections this time around, it will be the last elections. He will get rid of elections in total.

He pointed out that there were countries that have changed the constitution so that the prime minister or president remains forever.

“If he (Najib) gets two thirds majority, he will change the laws,” said the former prime minister.

He also poked fun that after Najib turns Malaysia into a dictatorship, he would be replaced by his stepson, Riza Aziz.

“He will be replaced by Riza Aziz. Why do you all laugh?” Dr Mahathir said when the crowd burst into laughter. – March 8, 2018.

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Comments

  • Many are glad that even if you become PM again, it will be short. Any right thinking citizen knows you screwed up the country with your racist policies.

    Posted 8 years ago by Malaysian First · Reply

  • Do not laugh about Rizal Aziz. Najib do not trust Zahid Hamidi. Rosmah certainly want it. Najib hang on until Hamidi is too old, promote Rizal Aziz quickly and he rules for many more terms.

    Posted 8 years ago by Bigjoe Lam · Reply

  • Historical note: If he becomes PM again Dr. M will be re-visiting his role as "a man in a hurry" for which he was known at that time. He was then always on the go, clutching his briefcase (which was full of his development plans for Malaysia) as he scurried hurriedly from 1 meeting to another to open up the economy as was never done before in order to accelerate the country's progress. His foresight & effort would always prove a difficult act for other PM's coming after him to follow...

    Posted 8 years ago by MELVILLE JAYATHISSA · Reply

  • I think it is foolish to abolish GST. How will a Pakatan government replace the 42b? They need to look at revenue to soend for all the goodies that they are proposing.

    Posted 8 years ago by Mogan Rao · Reply