How to shut Dr M up

Mahathir will fall silent if BN wins in Permatang Pauh, says Zam.

PETALING JAYA: Dr Mahathir Mohamad will have to end his war with Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak if Barisan Nasional wins in the Permatang Pauh by-election this May 7, says former minister Zainuddin Maidin in his latest blog posting.

Zainuddin makes his remark in the light of a statement that Mahathir has made regarding his fear of BN’s defeat in the next general election. In his writings and oral statements, the former prime minister has often declared that he has no confidence that Najib could lead BN to victory and that this was his main reason for opposing his leadership.

“With regard to Permatang Pauh,” Zainuddin says, “Mahathir is in agreement with the popular prediction that BN will lose and PKR will win.” He says voters in the constituency will cast their ballots “recklessly” because their sentiments are with Anwar Ibrahim, who held the seat before he was disqualified as a result of his conviction for sodomy.

“However, if God wills for BN to win in Permatang Pauh, Mahathir will have to close his anti-Najib campaign book and Najib’s path to the next general election will be lighted up.”

Zainuddin notes that Mahathir is certain that BN will win in the Rompin by-election on May 5, but is eager to see how well the coalition will do.

“If the BN majority is reduced,” he says, “it will support his prediction that the coalition will lose the next general election, especially since the late MP for the constituency was one of Najib’s most trusted associates.

“Any reduction in votes will be enough to dramatically raise his determination in his fight to oust Najib. And that is what Najib fears most.”