Dr M thanks BN for peaceful transition of power

In an exclusive interview with Malaysiakini two days before the May 9 general election, Dr Mahathir Mohamad reiterated his concern that if Pakatan Harapan wins federal power, the then prime minister Najib Abdul Razak would refuse to hand over power.

However, Mahathir has now thanked BN for the peaceful transition.

“Malaysia definitely has many reasons to be grateful. We had a change in government, which happened peacefully.

“Usually in other countries, when there is a change in government, often there are riots to the point where some will be killed [...] and these riots may happen because those who lost may not accept those who won.

“But in Malaysia, we find that those who lost conceded their defeat and gave way to the new (government) to take over.

“That is why the transition in government happened peacefully,” he said in his speech at the Prime Minister's Department Hari Raya open house in Putrajaya this afternoon.

In the Malaysiakini interview, Mahathir said Najib, fearing arrest, could even invoke the National Security Council Act (NSC), which he described as worse than the Internal Security Act (ISA).

"This is what we fear... He (Najib) is trying somehow or other to avoid being arrested. There is a rumour, and this is a rumour, I have heard it... that Umno will create trouble.

"They have thugs who will create trouble and there will be a state of emergency or a state of national security, then Parliament will not be called, and the rule of law will be suspended," he said.

Meanwhile, Mahathir also apologised to those present at the open house for arriving late because he had to attend a cabinet meeting.

He said this was the first cabinet meeting since the new batch of 13 ministers were sworn in on Monday.

“We had so many things to discuss that they forgot to remind me that I had a lunch event today,” he added.

The prime minister also quipped that he was surprised at the number of staff from the Prime Minister's Department at the open house.

Mahathir also advised civil servants to be grateful for the peace Malaysia enjoyed and to continue to carry out their duties and responsibilities to further develop the nation.

“All this requires sincerity from us and for us to give our best work so that we can contribute to a more developed country,” he said. - Mkini