The alternative frightens Dr M

Once again, the former premier warns Malaysians not to gamble with their future by voting for Anwar Ibrahim and Pakatan Rakyat.

PETALING JAYA: Dr Mahathir Mohamad, once celebrated as a visionary who placed Malaysia on the world map and now condemned as the chief architect of the rot in this nation, agrees that Barisan Nasional has been in power for too long.

But the alternative, warned the former premier who reigned for 22 years, is frightening.

His detractors claim that the prospect of Anwar Ibrahim, the one nemesis whom Mahathir has been unable to cast into the political wilderness, marching into Putrajaya is a bitter pill for the medical doctor-turned-politician to swallow.

And so the 87-year-old former premier has hit the campaign trail with fervour and seizes every opportunity to demonise Anwar and the coalition that the latter spearheads.

In an interview with Mingguan Malaysia published over the weekend, Mahathir once again poured scorn on his former heir-apparent, reminding Malaysians of the perils that await them in voting for change.

“Many say that the Alliance-Barisan Nasional has been in power too long. I would agree. I believe in not overstaying one’s welcome. But I am not so sure now whether this should apply in every circumstance.

“It is because the alternative to BN is frightening. It is led by a man who is obsessed with becoming prime minister, no matter how. I had wondered why he joined Umno instead of PAS. Now I know. He would do anything to become prime minister,” he said.

“By joining Umno instead of PAS, which had never produced a prime minister, he could become prime minister simply by climbing the ladder of its leadership. And so immediately upon joining Umno he contested for the position of chief of Umno Youth. Then he went for the vice-presidency and then the deputy president’s post. The next move was to overthrow the president and become the prime minister. It was all very simple.

“But the prime minister [Mahathir] did not seem to want to go. And so he began an underground campaign to demonise the prime minister. The rest, as they say, is history,” he added, referring to the fallout between Anwar and him more than a decade ago.

Mahathir warned that both Anwar and the “hopcotch collection of Pakatan Rakyat’s incompatible partnership” would be a bane for the nation.

“Apart from the ‘I want to become prime minister’ party [PKR], it includes a racist party and a religious party. They would be quarrelling with each other at every turn.

“They are not a coalition. They only ‘pakat’ [plot] to help each other win the election. Already they are quarrelling as to who should become PM. They don’t subscribe to the idea that the biggest party should lead,” he added.

‘BN is not exactly the devil’

Mahathir pointed out that similar to BN, PAS has been in power in Kelantan for decades but unlike the ruling coalition, the Islamic party cannot boast of the development or prosperity it has brought for the state and its citizens.

“The ageing leaders of PAS and DAP have not changed for far longer than the leaders of BN and its components. Six prime ministers have led the BN governments but during that time the DAP chief [Lim Kit Siang] remained in place and refuses to let go. And the son [Guan Eng] would take over from him. There is a dynasty in the making.

“The leaders of PAS have not changed during the premiership of four BN leaders. The leader of PKR styles himself as adviser but installed his wife [Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail] as president, with his daughter [Nurul Izzah] as vice-president. His intimate companion [Azmin Ali] is the deputy. There is no indication of any change in leadership. Certainly not through the leaders stepping down,” he said.

Mahathir also reiterated his advice to voters that it is better for them to cast their ballots for “the devil you know than the angel you don’t” but also added that BN is “not exactly a devil”.

“This country has developed very well under BN rule. And when it did not, it very quickly removed the failed leader.

“The elections provide us with an opportunity to impress upon the ruling party the need for it to change within itself. The message would be delivered, the warning would be made, and there would be positive responses,” he said.

“But in this country don’t gamble on the unknown and untried. The few opportunities that the opposition have been given have exposed their lack of skill and judgment. Kelantan has certainly not done well. As for Penang, the little good that may be acknowledged is overshadowed by the many failures.

“Elections are meant for the people to choose the party which would govern the country. The assumption is that the people know what is good for them. But in reality the majority of the people do not know. They vote either for their race, or party because of the propaganda they are exposed to. Only a small minority understand the issues and the quality of the parties contesting,” he added.

As for the coming general election, Mahathir is confident that BN will once again retain federal power but stressed the importance of the margin.

“Malaysia cannot afford a hung Parliament, nor can it afford a weak government. Both would be bad for Malaysia as everyone would be focusing on politics and the economy and development would be largely neglected,” he said.