‘Dr M likely to contest in GE14’

 “We also consider ourselves the leader in terms of getting public support for the Opposition”

(The Star) – Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is very likely to contest in the 14th general election, says a top official of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia.

Pribumi vice-president Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman even pinpointed Langkawi or Putrajaya where the Pakatan Harapan chairman could be fielded as a parliamentary candidate.

“I think Dr Mahathir will offer himself as a candidate, as he is the torch bearer for us.

“According to all the talk, there is a big possibility he will contest in Langkawi, although he has also been asked to stand in Putrajaya,” he said in an interview.

He also did not confirm whether he would be contesting in the general election, except to say that “I am very active in Kota Baru.”

Abdul Rashid, who is Pribumi’s Kota Baru division chief, said the party would be pitted directly against Umno in the peninsula and targeted to contest more than 38 parliamentary seats.

“This is more than what the DAP won in the last general election. We have no choice, as we are the lead party in Pakatan in terms of wooing Malay support.

“We also consider ourselves the leader in terms of getting public support for the Opposition,” he added.

Abdul Rashid said Pribumi would lead Pakatan’s charge in Kedah, Johor and Perak in GE14.

He said that the party leadership was particularly strong in Kedah – the home state of Dr Mahathir – and Johor which is party pre–sident Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s base.

“We will need to field as many candidates in these states… we will have to make our case,” he said, describing the three states as “tough” battlegrounds.

In order to contest more state seats in states such as Johor, he said Pribumi might have to compromise by contesting fewer parliamentary seats.

“We probably won’t get all that we originally wanted, but that’s alright as we will compromise,” he added.