It’s official, Dr Mahathir now a Bersih man

Former prime minister appears in video dressed in Bersih 5 rally tee, urging Malaysians to take to the streets this Saturday.

(FMT) – Dr Mahathir Mohamad has come out in full support of the Bersih 5 rally, as he was seen for the first time wearing the yellow-coloured T-shirt to be worn by participants this Saturday.

Mahathir, one of Prime Minister Najib Razak’s most vocal opponents, appeared clad in the Bersih 5 tee, in a short video shared on the Facebook page of PKR Youth Secretary Chang Lih Kang.

The video shows the former PM urging Malaysians to join this weekend’s Bersih 5 rally. He is also seen delivering his usual criticism of the Barisan Nasional-led government.

“Malaysia is now in distress. Najib’s administration has caused the country to incur billions of ringgit in debt, which cannot be paid by the government and state.

“That is why we must express our dissatisfaction with the government through participation in the rally by Bersih at Dataran Merdeka and any other location,” Mahathir said.

“I hope all Malaysians will join this rally because they aim to find a way to heal our country, change the government, so that it would be no longer led by a person who has been accused of stealing so much money.

“This is my hope and I hope all Malaysians will give their full support and participate in the Bersih rally.”

This is Mahathir’s most vocal message of support for the movement since parting ways with Najib and Umno.

Mahathir made two appearances in last year’s Bersih 4 rally, which stretched over three days, calling on the prime minister to resign.

The former PM left Umno earlier this year, after his son Mukhriz was forced to step down from his position as Kedah menteri besar. Mahathir has since gone on to start Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia with his son and former deputy prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin.