Dr M or Najib for PM, like choosing Coke or Pepsi

Pakatan Harapan's offer of former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad to replace Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has been likened to letting the public choose between Coca-Cola and Pepsi.

"Both will give you diabetes, (and you'll have to) amputate your leg," activist Badrul Hisham Shaharin told an amused crowd of 100 at the Kuala Lumpur Chinese Assembly Hall last night.

Badrul was among six panellists sharing their views on whether Mahathir's return to power was the solution for a better Malaysia.

The panel, which included Bersatu strategist Rais Husin, activist Hishamuddin Rais and former Malaysiakini chief editor Fathi Aris Omar, were split on the matter.

Mahathir (photo), who had previously served as head of government for 22 years, was nominated as Harapan's candidate for prime minister at the coalition's congress last Sunday.

Rais attempted to put a positive spin on the Coca-Cola versus Pepsi argument, saying it was time for the public to give the former premier a chance.

"We have never tasted 'Pepsi' yet, except in a few states... 'Pepsi' could be sweeter, and in fact, it is," the Bersatu supreme council member said.

Malay vote draw

Meanwhile, Hishammuddin argued Mahathir was the icon that Harapan needed to secure the rural Malay vote to oust Umno from power.

The rural Malay vote remains a stumbling block for the opposition’s road to Putrajaya, as this demographic has remained loyal to the ruling BN government.

Activist Haris Ibrahim (photo) saw no problems with Harapan using Mahathir to win over the Malays.

However, he said the former premier with all his alleged past wrongdoings, should not be allowed to return to power.

"If this country was a company, would you appoint Mahathir as your CEO with his resume of raping the country for 22 years?" Haris asked.

Mahathir has been accused of undermining Malaysia's democratic institutions, and for creating an environment that had led to the very problems he is combatting today, namely corruption in the government.

Fathi said the Bersatu chairperson has shown a lack of remorse over his wrongdoings, and thus questioned how Mahathir could be a prime minister for reform.

"How can you make reforms if you don't acknowledge your mistakes?" he said.

All just Pepsi

The Bersatu general assembly last December saw Mahathir apologising for his past mistakes, but the veteran said hours later the apology was only customary practice.

Despite the objections to Mahathir being nominated as prime minister, writer Nathaniel Tan believed there really isn't any better alternative from Harapan.

"In my view, for most other candidates under Harapan, if Mahathir is Pepsi cola, most others are also just like Pepsi cola," Tan said. -Mkini