Mahathir to join Johor campaign despite doctor's warning

 

JOHOR POLLS | Pejuang chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad is set to join the Johor campaign tomorrow despite doctors warning him that the surging Covid-19 pandemic could pose a serious risk to the nonagenarian.

This is as Pejuang, which is campaigning on a platform to stop BN "kleptocrats", struggled to gain traction in the Johor election as it is a relatively new party with no allies in the opposition.

Pejuang last night revealed that Mahathir (above) will assist the party's efforts in Machap.

He will be attending a luncheon with the local Chinese Chambers at around noon before visiting Felda Air Hitam.

The visit is a departure from Mahathir's earlier statement that he won't be joining the Johor polls campaign.

Mahathir was discharged from the National Heart Institute (IJN) on Feb 5, his third stay in a month.

His family did not reveal the exact nature of his ailment but Mahathir described it as an "attack".

Mahathir, when launching the Pejuang manifesto on Feb 23, also spoke about his health, stating that he had not expected to recover.

"The doctors insist that I be careful because I am 97 and you know if old people get Covid-19, it's dangerous.

"I would like to visit Johor but I cannot go to Johor because my doctors said they cannot guarantee I won't be infected and I won't become serious because of my age and the fact that I have only recovered from a very serious attack, illness, lately.

"If I am attacked again, I don't know what the result will be," he had said.

Mahathir today also wrote an open letter to Johor voters, which he said was prompted by ex-prime minister Najib Abdul Razak's attempt to whitewash his crimes during the Johor polls.

Najib, who has been convicted of criminal breach of trust, money laundering, and abuse of power, has made very public campaign appearances.

He is appealing his 12-year jail sentence and RM210 million fine for misappropriating funds of a former 1MDB subsidiary.

Johor Pejuang chief Shahruddin Md Salleh is contesting in Machap. His opponents include BN's Onn Hafiz Ghazi, Perikatan Nasional's Azlisham Azahar and Muda's R Sangaran.

The seat, which has always voted for Umno, comprised 65 percent Malays, 30 percent Chinese, and five percent Indians. - Mkini