Mahathir draws thousands in Selangor rally
Thousands of Malaysians turned up on Saturday, April 6, 2013, for a rally in Selangor to listen to former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad (above) lobby for support for ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition.
Yong Yen Nie, Straits Times
SHAH ALAM, Selangor – Thousands of Malaysians turned up on Saturday for a rally in Selangor to listen to former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad lobby for support for ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition.
Tun Dr Mahathir, 87, clearly has not lost his star power as the thousands came to a field in Shah Alam, the capital city of this opposition-held state, in the heavy rain to hear him speak.
“I am here to help save Selangor,” he said to loud applause. “Selangor is the richest state in the country and we should hold power in such states.”
Dr Mahathir had also campaigned before a crowd of thousands in Johor Baru recently as the BN sought to consolidate support there after the opposition Pakatan Rakyat (PR) sent its top stars to stand in the southern state.
The former premier, who retired in 2003, is seen to be backing current Prime Minister Najib Razak in this election as he attempts to wrest back power in the four states won by PR five years ago.
“I am confident that Najib will fulfill the promises,” he said. “Give the victory to BN and Insya-allah (God-willing), Selangor will be safe.”
Asked by reporters later about his active campaign, Dr Mahathir said he was doing his rounds to thank the people who had supported him when he was PM.
He is also expected to campaign in Kedah where his youngest son Mukhriz Mahathir is seen as a front-runner to be its menteri besar, should the BN regain the state.
Dr Mahathir’s support would come as a relief to PM Najib whom he has criticised several times in recent years.
His harsh criticism of then-Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Badawi in the run-up to the 2008 general elections was seen as a factor in swaying voter sentiment against the BN.
He remains an iconic leader to many, especially among the Malays.
