PRIME Minister Anwar Ibrahim is running a dictatorship and oppressive government that takes actions and places restrictions against government critics and opposition lawmakers, Dr Mahathir Mohamad said.

Dr Mahathir said the current administration also practiced hypocrisy as it has in the past held street protests against policies or actions taken by the Barisan Nasional (BN) led government.

He repeated his stand that the Malays have lost more power under the current administration.

“The Malays are the founders of this country yet the government won’t allow us to even gather. This is the new government today, a dictator(ship).

“We as the people have the right to gather and criticise the government but this is a dictator’s government. People can’t speak up or criticise (the government),’’ he said during a press conference at Perkasa headquarters in Kuala Lumpur today.

He met the media after the Proklamasi Orang Melayu gathering, in which Dr Mahathir was to have given a speech, was called off following the last minute cancellations of venues.

The former prime minister said there was no reason for the event to be stopped as the attendees were law-abiding citizens who merely wished to voice their concerns on Malay affairs.

In recent days Dr Mahathir had attacked the government for failing to protect the Malays.

In the press conference today, Dr Mahathir questioned Umno’s spending during the 15th general election (GE15) campaign.

“We are slightly disappointed because in the government’s bid to fight corruption, only those from the opposition are being probed and charged,” he said.

“Umno spent a lot of money in the recent general election. They had a lot of flags and banners that required a huge amount of money.

“Where did Umno get so much money if not through corruption?” he added. – March 19, 2023.