Dr M endorses Perak takeover
Changes his mind after returning to Umno
By Deborah Loh (The Nut Graph)
TAIPING, 6 April 2009: Only last month did Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad say that Barisan Nasional (BN)'s takeover of Perak was unlawful. Today, however, he endorsed the BN's menteri besar and said the new government had been accepted by the people.
The former prime minister hit the campaign trail today for the BN in Bukit Gantang, two days after he rejoined Umno. He told a crowd of at least 3,000 people that he fully supported Datuk Seri Najib Razak as the new prime minister, and Datuk Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir as Perak menteri besar.
Dr Mahathir is mobbed by the excited crowd as he arrives. Pushing and shoving ensues as bodyguards clear a path for him
At a press conference later, Mahathir was asked about the change in his stand.
"It (the BN state government) is now a matter of fact, so it must be supported unless they can prove that it is legally wrong. But at the moment, it seems the government is accepted by the people," Mahathir told reporters.
However, at a function on 14 March, he had said the BN's 5 Feb takeover of Perak was not in accordance with the law. He had argued then that a menteri besar or a prime minister could not be removed without a no-confidence vote in the assembly.
Asked why he held a different view today, Mahathir said, "I am not a judge, but I can give an opinion. Maybe I am wrong. It all depends on the judge."
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