Zaid on why Dr Mahathir should contest in GE14

Zaid says the former prime minister is still fit despite his age, and points to Mahathir’s popularity.

(FMT) – Dr Mahathir Mohamad must contest in the next general election to improve the opposition’s chances of winning, said former de facto law minister Zaid Ibrahim.

He said as the opposition would be facing the Goliath that is the Barisan Nasional (BN), the opposition’s victory or defeat might very well come down to just one seat.

“He (Mahathir) should contest. Because that may be the one seat we need the most. Imagine if we lose by just one seat,” said Zaid in an interview with FMT.

“Then we will all be saying ‘Oh, if only Tun had contested, it would have been enough’. Because we are not in a comfortable position where we can win with a 20-seat majority.

“We are in a 50-50 position. And Mahathir can win anywhere.”

Mahathir who made a comeback in politics last year by forming Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) to “save” the country from BN’s alleged mismanagement, will turn 92 by the time the 14th general election comes.

The nation’s longest premier had often cited his age as a reason he had decided not to participate in any polls, except to promote candidates fielded by the opposition.

Zaid, however, said the former prime minister was still fit despite his age, and pointed to Mahathir’s popularity.

“He’s younger than me (physically). When I walk with him, he’s always faster than me, and I’m 65. He’s a fit man. So don’t worry about his age.

“It’s okay for him to be 92 and still be a member of parliament.”

He also said with Mahathir contesting, PPBM would be an asset to the opposition, “especially as the party’s acceptance among Umno members is good”.

Meanwhile, Zaid also expressed hope that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) former special operations division director Bahri Mohamad Zain would join politics.

He said this might encourage more voters to support the opposition’s effort to reform the country.

“I don’t know if he will join politics or not, but I hope he will. Because politics is a way for us to change things.

“Some say politics is dirty. But if we don’t join, others who are dirtier will join and we’ll be left with more problems. So it’s better that he joins.”