Dr M not helping Pakatan in by-elections, says Mukhriz
(The Malaysian Insider) – There is no way former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, the harshest critic of Prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s administration, will ever campaign for Pakatan Rakyat (PR) in the Rompin and Permatang Pauh by-elections, his son said.
Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir said his father’s criticism of the present administration was for the good of Barisan Nasional and Umno.
“All he has said in his statements is based on his own opinion. He still has hopes that BN will win in both Rompin and Permatang Pauh.
“He is not campaigning for Pakatan Rakyat,” the Kedah menteri besar told reporters at BN’s Tanah Liat polling centre in Permatang Pauh today.
Mukhriz, who is Kedah BN and Umno chief, was asked to comment on what he thought of PR politicians quoting his father in the ongoing by-election campaigns.
Polling for the Rompin parliamentary seat will be held tomorrow and Thursday for Permatang Pauh.
Tongue-in-cheek, some opposition politicians have begun to refer to Dr Mahathir as “de facto opposition leader” for his repeated criticism of Najib over debt-laden 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), the Altantuya Shaariibuu murder, cash aid under the 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M) and implementation of the goods and services tax.
Mukhriz said they had seen posters claiming that his father was campaigning for PR and even taking part in the rallies at the Sogo shopping complex in Kuala Lumpur.
“This is all nonsense. We wanted to laugh just looking at them.
“It is just the opposition’s naughty strategy. Maybe they don’t have other tactics,” he said, adding that such materials were meant to confuse the people.
Earlier, Mukhriz said he did not want to talk much about national issues such as those being raised by PR.
He said voters were more concerned with local issues that affected them daily.
“The priority should be the problems faced by the people in the constituency. The people need to think about this, what they want and what they will get out of their elected rep.
“What kind of leader would the people want? One who can settle issues, such as making sure roads in bad condition are resurfaced, surau are repaired and upgraded, and the welfare of the people taken care of.
“So far, are the people happy with the performance and service of their MP?”
