Dr Mahathir Mohamad has admitted that he is facing an uphill struggle with regard to the coming general election. However, he remains optimistic about his chances, provided that the election is fair.
“There is a wave of support. A silent wave,” he told the Financial Times (FT) in a recent interview.
As expected, the former prime minister rained accusations and insults on his former protege-turned-nemesis Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.
The FT article stated that when asked his reasons for running for office again, the 92-year-old politician “loses his cool”.
“To get rid of that monster of a leader,” he “spits”. According to Mahathir, Najib has “managed to corrupt everyone”.
Given this scenario, Mahathir, said the article, viewed himself as a reluctant saviour who would rescue the nation and hand the reins over to a successor immediately after.
“I am not running for office. I am letting myself be used because I think I can help,” he claimed.
As for working with another former friend-turned-foe, Mahathir denied that his alliance with Anwar Ibrahim was Machiavellian. He described it as pragmatic instead.
“Strange things happen in politics. The situation demands change to reach certain objectives,” he explained.
When Anwar's wife Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail was asked if she trusted the former prime minister, given their acrimonious past, she replied: “I trust in God.”
On the other hand, PKR vice-president Tian Chua (below) expressed regret over the opposition's failure to produce a younger leader “with less baggage”, but pointed out that Mahathir is “iconic and a serious challenge to the establishment”.
The FT article also mentioned that voters who remember Mahathir’s persecution of opposition politicians and his brand of crony capitalism have greeted his electoral gambit with scepticism.
“His critics relish the irony of watching him fight the 'monster' he created, often quoting one of his favourite Malay dictums: 'The spotted father begets a speckled son',” it said.
Najib has denied abusing public funds for personal gain and accused Mahathir of spearheading a plot to topple him from power.
Najib's supporters claim that Mahathir wants to engineer the political ascension of his son, Mukhriz. -Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.