I have repented - Mahathir's confession

Dr Mahathir Mohamad has confessed to having repented in response to those who advised the 92-year-old politician to atone.

However, the former premier argued that it is because he has seen the light that he embarked on a quest against wrongdoings.

"It is because I have repented that I am forced to focus on problems plaguing the country.

"I cannot ignore it. I am witnessing various wrongdoings and with many people having asked me to do something," he added during a live session on his Facebook page.

PAS lawmaker Nik Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz was among those who urged Mahathir to repent and turn to the prayer mat.

"There is no need to do the same kind of things over and over again from young to old," he had said.

Nik Abduh was responding to Mahathir's remarks regarding his father, the late PAS spiritual leader Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat.

During the Facebook live session, Mahathir, who is now chairperson of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), urged youths to keep abreast with current developments so they do not inherit a nation in ruins.

"This is why the young must follow the country's political, economic and social developments.

"Before the country is destroyed, they must know what to do and decide that these culprits will not be able to continue destroying the country after the general election,” he said.

Mahathir noted how youths were instrumental in the movement against the Malayan Union in the 1940s.

"I hope the young won't say that they will wait until they are older.

"(Because) they might find that the situation is so bad when they are older that it is hard for them to reverse what has happened," he said.

In a previous blog posting, Mahathir said Malaysians have grown cynical of politics while the younger generation or Gen Y voters believe there is no difference between the opposition and BN.

He added that this generation is of the opinion that politicians on both sides of the fence are pursuing power and financial rewards.

He claimed that the younger generation is also not interested in the struggles of past leaders. -Mkini