Dr M says time for Umno members to abandon party

 

JOHOR BY-ELECTIONS | Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad tonight joined top Perikatan Nasional leaders who gathered to support the coalition’s Pulai candidate Zulkifli Jaafar.

In a speech to several hundred supporters during the final hours of campaigning, Mahathir called on the remaining Umno members to leave the party and support PN.

“Whoever is left in Umno, leave Umno... it is no longer Umno. Support Perikatan Nasional.

“I’m confident that if PN wins, not only will the Malays be protected, but also the Chinese and Indians,” said Mahathir who currently leads the Malay Secretariat movement.

His call was met with chants of “Perikatan Nasional” from supporters who gathered in Kempas, one of two state seats under the Pulai parliamentary constituency, where PN, throughout the two-week campaign period, moved to strengthen its hold on the Malay-majority seat.

“The Malays uphold the law… but there are also some crooks,” he said.

The former Umno president told the crowd that the present party leadership under president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has abandoned its core struggle for race, religion, and country.

Instead, Mahathir claimed Umno is now only out to free Zahid from his corruption charges.

“So reject Umno and give your votes to PN.

“Do not forget, you have to come out to vote (tomorrow) in large numbers, make it like a party,” he said.

‘DAP abandoned principles’

Earlier in his speech, Mahathir also said Umno in the past and under his leadership would never have cooperated with DAP.

He also accused DAP of abandoning its principles to show support for Zahid even after questions were raised over the latter’s discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) for his 47 corruption charges.

He repeated his claims that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is out to stifle free speech through restrictive laws against speaking on race, religion, and royalty.

“My case has reached the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC). It’s okay. But I’m puzzled as to why this law must be enforced.

“Our country is (now) not practicing the rule of law. Our country is practicing the new rule of war,” said Mahathir who was investigated for allegedly insulting the royal institution.

Yesterday, Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain reportedly said police have submitted the investigation papers (IPs) on Mahathir and PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang to the AGC for further action.

Mahathir was the first speaker of the night and left immediately after his speech ended.

Leaders on the main stage included PN chairperson and Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin, PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, and Gerakan president Dominic Lau. - Mkini