Mukhriz, beware of 'outstanding' Pakatan leaders

Mukhriz Mahathir’s labelling of senior Pakatan Rakyat leaders as “dinosaurs” has struck  a bad note with PKR Wanita chief  Zuraida Kamaruddin, who retorted that  the latter should be aware of the new generation of “outstanding” opposition leaders.

Citing the latest line up PKR leaders such as its director of strategy Rafizi Ramli (left), Sim Tze Tzin, vice-president N Surendren and political analyst Ong Kian Ming, Zuraida said they were examples of the new leaders who “speak without fear or favour”.

“As if Mukhriz is not already aware, Pakatan Rakyat has a strong and good line-up of leaders who are even more capable and progressive in their approach and thinking,” she said in a statement today.

She was referring to Mukhriz 's remark on Thursday , after announcing his candidacy for the Umno vice-president post, thatopposition “dinosaurs” the likes of Anwar Ibrahim, Nik Aziz Nik Mat and Lim Kit Siang, would not be around forever.

He had said thus, Umno must elect new blood to helm the party and prepare for the 14th general election, as their rivals are already doing so.

Zuraida (left) today cautioned the Kedah menteri besar from naming others considering he, himself, is approaching the “dinosaur age” and has “bapa dinosaur” (father dinosaur) as a mentor.

More disturbingly still, she said, is the fact Mukhriz feels justified in extending the struggles of his father, former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

“Who can forget the stranglehold that Tun (Mahathir) had on the country during his 22 years of dictatorship?

“Cronyism flourished during Tun’s tenure and the judiciary was fraught with allegations of injustice and non-compliance,” she said, added that the affects of “failed financial initiatives”, hatched during Mahathir’s tenure, is still felt today.