At 95, Malaysia’s Mahathir remains a potent force

KUALA LUMPUR — Dr Mahathir Mohamad may have lost a government to his Bersatu co-founder Muhyiddin Yassin, but at 95, he hasn’t lost his touch and can still draw a crowd, even in the Umno heartland of Felda.

At Felda Trolak Utara on Thursday (Aug 27), where he was campaigning in the Slim by-election, Dr Mahathir spoke to a full house of 250 people with twice as many standing at the edges of the ceramah area.

At another ceramah in the afternoon at Felda Gunung Besout 3, he also managed to draw a crowd of 300.

“I’ve always criticised Umno even when I was inside. I was even sacked by Tunku Abdul Rahman but I never joined another party,” said Dr Mahathir before the sound of drums stopped him for a brief moment.

Dr Mahathir was the last speaker after Amanah president Mohamad Sabu, his son Mukhriz and Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shaari.

Directly opposite the ceramah spot, Perikatan Nasional was holding a town hall for 150 people with Umno deputy youth chief Shahril Hamdan, PAS youth chief Khairil Nizam Khairudin and Bersatu youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal.

PN youths managed to disrupt Dr Mahathir twice, but he continued.

He acknowledged that it was Umno that gave him opportunities to become prime minister for 22 years.

“I should defend Umno even when it’s wrong. But I’m not like that,” said Dr Mahathir, who joined Umno in 1946.

“When the party I am in is no longer faithful to its objectives, I will not be tied to the party. The same, I hope, goes for all of you.”

He went on to explain that this was what had happened to Bersatu, which was started in 2016 to topple former prime minister Najib Razak and Umno.

Dr Mahathir, who is the Langkawi MP, said Mr Muhyiddin Yassin told him that he too wanted to topple Najib when they started Bersatu.

“I believed him and started Bersatu. After that, we went around the country to campaign to topple Umno, which was led by Najib.

“But after we won, Muhyiddin’s objectives changed and he now wants to bring Najib back to life.

“He has betrayed the voters who trusted him and me to vote for Pakatan Harapan to stop Najib,” said the former Bersatu chairman.

Muhyiddin forgot the promises made to voters after PH won, he said.

“Hence, efforts were made to become prime minister. He told me that Pakatan had to be brought down as it was losing support. He said that he would start a Malay government.”

Dr Mahathir said he tried to persuade Mr Muhyiddin to stay in PH as promised to voters.

“But he insisted on starting a Malay government. Look now at what has happened to Bersatu, which was a Malay party. It is now opening up to other races. Bersatu has also deviated from its objectives.

“These are ways to cheat people. Say something but do something else. This is who has become prime minister now.”

Most of what Dr Mahathir told the crowd is also on his blog but the message resonated with some Slim voters and former Bersatu members.

A group of supporters from Selangor and Kuala Lumpur told The Malaysian Insight that Dr Mahathir was right about Mr Muhyiddin and Bersatu.

“What is the party now?” said retired banker Mohd Nor Din, 68.

“I joined Bersatu to topple Umno and end corruption but Muhyiddin is now working with them again. This is unacceptable,” said Mr Nor.

Retirees Hamid Mat and Wahab Nok echoed their friend’s sentiments.

“This is just the start. And we believe Tun has the ability to turn this around again. He may have lost this round but, we believe he can challenge Bersatu and Umno with the new party Pejuang,” said Mr Hamid.

At Besout, Mr Mat Saad said he would also vote for Pejuang candidate Amir Khusyairi Tanusi. Mr Amir is contesting against Barisan Nasional’s Mohd Zaidi Aziz and independent S. Santharasekaran.

“Najib may have given a lot of money to Felda settlers but they are still in debt because of the loans they have taken when he listed Felda Global Ventures.

“I don’t have any loans with Felda anymore and I am free to vote as I want. And I believe Dr Mahathir is right about Najib, Felda and this government,” said the father of eight.

At Felda Trolak Utara, Dr Mahathir ended his ceramah by saying that he started Pejuang to show that Malaysian politicians cannot be bought or bribed.

“And as long as I live, this is my struggle… race, religion and country.” THE MALAYSIAN INSIGHT