Zam calls for suspension of Dr M’s anti-Najib drive

The former minister tells Mahathir not to spoil BN's chances in Permatang Pauh.

PETALING JAYA: Former information minister Zainuddin Maidin has urged Dr Mahathir Mohamad to suspend his campaign to oust Prime Minister Najib until the Permatang Pauh by-election is over.

He says in a blog article today that the former prime minister should not spoil any chance Barisan Nasional might have in reducing Pakatan Rakyat’s majority in the May 7 by-election. Such a result, he says, will be a “victory in defeat” for BN, particularly Umno, because the constituency is the stronghold of jailed Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim.

“If this happens,” he says, “it will definitely be a booster for Umno. It will give the new spirit that Umno and BN supporters throughout the country need at a time when their leaders are threatened by political, economic and personal crises, made worse by incessant attacks from the former prime minister.

“I don’t think Tun Mahathir wants BN to be defeated because Anwar Ibrahim has been his biggest enemy in his political career. BN’s defeat will be partly blamed on Mahathir if he continues to attack Najib during the by-election campaign period, even if he does not speak anywhere in the Permatang Pauh constituency.

“Won’t Mahathir share in BN’s happiness if it manages to get more votes than it has done before? It will raise Umno’s morale, and not just Najib’s.”

Zainuddin says he doubts that BN will be able to increase its share of the votes, but asserts that a reduction in the Opposition’s share will be enough of a victory.

However, he adds, if BN does see an increase in votes for it, then Mahathir will have to consider whether he should continue with his campaign against Najib even after the by-election.