BN should contest in Penanti, says Mahathir

(Bernama) – Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said Barisan Nasional (BN) should contest the Penanti state seat in Penang.

If not, BN members and supporters in the area would be disappointed besides it would spoil the spirit and dignity of past party champions, he said at a function organised by the Raub UMNO Youth here today (19 April).

He said that BN had never been afraid of contesting in any elections even in PAS' strongholds in Kelantan.

He was commenting on the supposed vacancy of the seat after former Penang Deputy Chief Minister I Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin announced on Thursday that he was quitting the state assembly seat.

Meanwhile, when asked whether the crooked bridge project linking Johor and Singapore should resume, Dr Mahathir said it should not have been terminated at all. "It's a lie to say the people of Johor don't want the bridge to be built," he said.

He also called on UMNO and BN members to continue to speak up if their leaders did something wrong.

"We have to be critical in a good way and don't only remain loyal to leaders even if they clearly make mistakes."

He also reminded UMNO leaders and the younger generation not to take an easy route to gain positions and power including through corrupt practice which would in the end ruin the party.