Dr M: Opposition will make Malaysia worse

Declaring that the opposition Pakatan Rakyat will not improve Malaysia if it takes over from Barisan Nasional, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad reserved his vitriol for PAS for flip-flopping over cooperating with non-Muslims to rule the country.

He said most of the leaders from the Opposition were seen to be willing to change their stand just to gain popularity and support from the people.

“I think things will only get worse. Their leaders are willing to make “halal” everything,” Mahathir was quoted as saying by the state Bernama news agency.

The former prime minister who ruled the country for 22 years until October 2003 has always fought with PAS and has resisted any cooperation with them. Apart from PAS, Pakatan Rakyat comprises DAP and PKR.

Mahathir’s greatest achievement was to lure PKR leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to join Umno in 1982 instead of PAS. Anwar rose up to be deputy prime minister before he was sacked in 1998 on charges of sodomy and corruption.

“Previously, PAS had said cooperation with non-Muslims would make one an infidel but now not only are they cooperating with non-Muslims, they are also saying it is okay to rear pigs, only that Muslims should not consume pork.

“PAS quotes the Quran that pork is “haram” but that it did not say pigs cannot be reared. Going by this, it means we can rear pigs, can sell pork but not eat it. Just because they want the cooperation of some people, they are willing to compromise on their principles,” Dr Mahathir said.

His comments came two days after Umno put Tan Sri Mohamed Isa Samad to face PAS Negri Sembilan chief Zulkefly Omar to retain the Bagan Pinang state seat and cut Pakatan Rakyat’s unbroken string of victories in the peninsula since the general elections last year.

Mahathir opposed Isa’s nomination as the former Negri Sembilan mentri besar was suspended for three years from the party vice-presidency for vote-buying in 2005 and declared he will not campaign for Oct 11 by-election .

Earlier, the 85-year-old delivered a lecture entitled “Dari Minda Tun, Ketuanan Melayu” (From Tun’s Mind, Malay Supremacy) at Dewan Aspirasi Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Terengganu here.

Also present was UiTM vice chancellor, Tan Sri Prof Dr Ibrahim Abu Shah.

Mahathir further explained that Malaysia could ill-afford leaders who were inconsistent in their stand just for the sake of gaining popularity.

“It is just the same with another leader who is a now a strong supporter of Hindraf (the banned Hindu Rights Action Force movement),” he said without naming who he was referring to.

But the acerbic Mahathir recently had run-ins with MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, saying that his former ally should retire from politics and blaming him for BN’s loss in Election 2008.
Commenting on the future of Umno, the backbone of the BN, he said the party was still relevant but its leaders and members must be wise and brave in taking “corrective measures”.

“If a leader does something that is not good, they must voice out...I laud the appointment of Senator Datuk Seri Idris Jala as Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department. There should be more appointments from outside the party in government leadership positions,” he said.

Idris’s appointment has raised the ire of Umno and Sarawak Barisan Nasional lawmakers who feel that they should have been consulted over the move. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has said the appointment is to ensure better governance.

In his speech, Dr Mahathir urged bumiputera students to be brave in competing with other races, including in pursuing higher education in private tertiary institutions that were not dominated by bumiputeras like UiTM.

They should prove their ability to compete by enrolling in institutions like Kolej Tunku Abdul Rahman, he added


comments

There is only one thing I wish to do before I die; I wanted to throw my shoe at si Mahatir so badly. THe next time you see someone throwing a shoe at him, that's me!

you are entitled to your opinion, as much as we are entitled to our own.

Basically, the message of GE12 is that the rakyat had had enough of BN-UMNO rule after 52 years.

They are ready for a NEW MALAYSIA, with new approaches, new players, new mindset, new rules, new whatever that are necessary as we go along the path of the nation's growth in this new GLOBAL WILDERNESS.

We are sick and tired of the corruption and money politics and the OLD WILY POLITICIANS who are past their "used by" dates, etc., etc., and who had overstayed in their cosy corners and become deadwoods and liabilities, as you had pointed out on occasions.

Whether PR or any other entities come to run the nation is immaterial as long as there are integrity, accountability, transparency, competency, etc., etc.

The nation is NOT devoid of capable and trustworthy Malaysians, whether they are Malay, Chinese, Indians, Ibans, Kadazan-Dusun, Dayaks, Orang Asli ( the TRUE BUMIPUTERA ),etc., etc., ready to answer the call of national service.

Just like yourself, when you were a young and eager soul back in the "good old days", the elders had their doubts too about the young and inexperienced. Now as you are in that wise golden age, we cannot blame you to have your reservations and doubts, which is natural.

Just as you had written somewhere too, that in politics there are no permanent friends or foes. The same applies to DAP, PAS, PKR, or just any other parties. Just like you they could change their "sleeping partners" too. Don't deny others what others did not deny you, Tun!

Religious and worldly knowledge evolve and change according to new wisdoms and circumstances. WHat you did not see, hear or feel in your early days are stark realities now. Dulu lain, sekarang lain. We have to adapt to changes, don't we? Or else we would forever be caught in the "comfort" of our tempurung, which is counter progressive and productive, as you would concur, Tun.

Let the young run the show, Tun. For better, or for worse, we move as one Malaysian. "Opposition" is not such a dirty word as you might have imagined; just as "Familiarity" do sometimes breed contempt! "Opposition will make Malaysia Worse" is such an old and tried way of telling BN that PR is A REAL THREAT! The "opposition", whoever they are, take this as a compliment!

The power of the ballot is also the wisdom of the electorates. Do not underestimate the intelligence and ability of the rakyat. If they could be "foolish" to have kept BN for so long, they could in the same breath, be "wise" to choose the opposition. There is only so much we could do, God also has His Plans.
Man proposes, God dispenses.

Mahathir is trying to run down the opposition. What he is more concern about is the opposition taking over the Federal government and DSAI becoming PM. Then he will have to pack-up and run to another country such as Rwanda or Zimbabwi. Other countries will not take him in. He is spouting nonsense again. Gambling is also an offense according to Islamic law. Why issue licences to Toto. Magnum and Da Ma Cai. Why licensed the casino an Genting Higalands, allowing muslims to work in the haram place but forbibbing muslims to gamble. Hypocrites!