Former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad today said that certain leaders who are merely using their followers in a bid for the seat of power in Putrajaya will ultimately fail.
“There are leaders in our country who create an organisation and have followers for the sake of using them to fulfill their ambitions, and some of these have a grand ambition of going to Putrajaya,” he said.
These followers, Mahathir (left) added, are merely tools whose leader has no regard for their welfare except for his or her own position.
“Even if they capture Putrajaya, these leaders will not last long, perhaps they will not even reach Putrajaya,” he said during a youth dialogue in Kuala Lumpur today.
“They can go to Putrajaya (to attend the youth festival) outside, but not the building behind,” he quipped in a veiled reference to Pakatan Rakyat.
Meanwhile, when asked about the high number of youth leaders in Pakatan Rakyat compared to BN, Mahathir explained the problem was with leaders who were unwilling to step down.
“I believe that talented youths should be given a chance but unfortunately after these youths are appointed and when they are no longer youths, they refuse to step down,” he said.
Commenting on the opposition’s advocacy for a two-party system, the former premier said: “There are no systems in the world that is not flawed.”
Mahathir said while the system ensures a clear majority for one side, there are risks of MPs defecting when the majority is not large enough.
“So here are still weaknesses in a two-party system therefore (so) the rakyat must be wise in giving sufficient support to the governing party,” he said.
He added that the country has been able to develop well for over 50 years because of the government’s two-thirds majority.
“With enough majority, there is no threat of the government falling, and therefore it can make important decisions even though if it is not liked by the majority of the rakyat or party members,” he said.
“There are leaders in our country who create an organisation and have followers for the sake of using them to fulfill their ambitions, and some of these have a grand ambition of going to Putrajaya,” he said.
These followers, Mahathir (left) added, are merely tools whose leader has no regard for their welfare except for his or her own position.“Even if they capture Putrajaya, these leaders will not last long, perhaps they will not even reach Putrajaya,” he said during a youth dialogue in Kuala Lumpur today.
“They can go to Putrajaya (to attend the youth festival) outside, but not the building behind,” he quipped in a veiled reference to Pakatan Rakyat.
Meanwhile, when asked about the high number of youth leaders in Pakatan Rakyat compared to BN, Mahathir explained the problem was with leaders who were unwilling to step down.
“I believe that talented youths should be given a chance but unfortunately after these youths are appointed and when they are no longer youths, they refuse to step down,” he said.
Commenting on the opposition’s advocacy for a two-party system, the former premier said: “There are no systems in the world that is not flawed.”Mahathir said while the system ensures a clear majority for one side, there are risks of MPs defecting when the majority is not large enough.
“So here are still weaknesses in a two-party system therefore (so) the rakyat must be wise in giving sufficient support to the governing party,” he said.
He added that the country has been able to develop well for over 50 years because of the government’s two-thirds majority.
“With enough majority, there is no threat of the government falling, and therefore it can make important decisions even though if it is not liked by the majority of the rakyat or party members,” he said.
Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has, since taking power, attempted to push through political and economic reforms in the country.
However, political observers have said that Najib, who as premier is untested in a general election, is facing opposition from within his own party.
However, political observers have said that Najib, who as premier is untested in a general election, is facing opposition from within his own party.
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