Dr M never practised nepotism, claims son
(Malay Mail Online) – Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir said today his father Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad never practised nepotism during his 22-year rule, whether in politics or in business.
Mukhriz, who is now Kedah mentri besar, pointed out that when Dr Mahathir was still in office, neither he nor his siblings were allowed to participate in politics in order to ensure there was no perception of favouritism.
“Usually the word nepotism is related to something negative because it allows space for bias towards their own family…that’s why my father didn’t allow his family members to be involved in politics,
“In fact, even with businesses, it didn’t involve the government,” he said during a press conference at a Barisan Nasional (BN) luncheon in Tanah Liat.
In contrast, Mukhriz said, the opposition seems to be flaunting their acts of nepotism by choosing Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail as the PKR candidate for the Permatang Pauh by-election, a seat previously held by her husband Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“But I see with our opposition here, they are not ashamed to display nepotism and it’s as if the importance of the family supersedes the importance of the people here,”
“If we see their side is the one with the most nepotism. Nepotism if they are really good then maybe we can close one eye and allow it, but nepotism that doesn’t bring benefit then I think we shouldn’t sympathise or use family relations for a positive factor to choose a representative,” he said during his speech at the luncheon.
He pointed out that although he was interested in politics, he wasn’t allowed to participate until Dr Mahathir retired as prime minister in 2002.
It was only then that he entered the political arena, later becoming an Umno Youth council member in 2004, Mukhriz said.
The Election Commission announced on Saturday that voters will have the choice of PKR’s Dr Wan Azizah, Barisan Nasional’s Suhaimi Sabudin, PRM’s Azman Shah Othman or independent Salleh Isahak come polling day on May 7.
The Permatang Pauh seat was vacated after PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was imprisoned in February over a charge of sodomising his former aide.
Permatang Pauh has been a PKR stronghold since Dr Wan Azizah led the party to regain the seat in the 1999 general election.
A total of 71,890 registered voters in Permatang Pauh will cast their vote for their new MP on May 7, while early polls are on May 3.
