PH could collapse if one party withdraws: Dr Mahathir

“All four have equal strengths. If any one party withdraws from PH, the party can collapse”

(NST) – Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad hinted that Pakatan Harapan could collapse if one of the four parties decides to withdraw from the coalition.

He said Parti Pribumi Bersatu, PKR, DAP and Amanah have equal strengths and representations in the Parliament.

“All four have equal strengths. If any one party withdraws from PH, the party can collapse,” he said to a question on how coalition would remain united after he steps down and his plans to prevent it from breaking down.

The Prime Minister said this in a talk ‘Bicara Minda’ organised by Sinar Harian at Karangkraf Hall here today.

The event which was attended by 500 people was moderated by veteran journalist and The Star columnist Tan Sri Johan Jaafar.

Asked on his cabinet line-up, he added the cabinet now was very much different than how it was back when he was the Prime Minister, as only he and Tan Sri Muhyiddin have had long experience governing the country.

“Last time, to lead the government, you need a main dominant party, but now we have four parties with different ideologies, stances and approaches. The process to convince (each other) is more difficult now.”

“I have to be more tolerant now. If you want me to be a dictator, then it will be easier.

“My legacy is that I had an experienced cabinet, (so) it was easy to run the government,” Dr Mahathir said.

He added the situation now required him to make acute assessments and find solutions.

“I have to be open to different ways of thinking, including socialism and liberalism, which are adopted by some of the ministers.”

To a question, Dr Mahathir said there was no such thing as doing things his way.

“If you listen to the song, it begins with ‘(and) now, the end is near’… so actually people are telling me that my time is near,” he said, referring to the lyrics to the evergreen song My Way.

On claims that PH members were sabotaging the coalition due to greed, the Prime Minister replied in jest: “That is better then some politicians who are crooks and thieves.”

Asked to comment on people’s high expectations on PH led-government, Dr Mahathir said he would try to deliver to the best of his abilities.

“I am not a magician. I am only human,” he said.

On media freedom, Dr Mahathir said that in his 22 years as Prime Minister and now back as the government leader, he had not avoided the media unlike the previous leader.

“We need to interact with the media in order to know what the people are thinking and are unhappy about.”

“I have to be tolerant. The previous government don’t dare to meet the media and explain things, including fake news,” he said, adding with the popularity of social media, nothing was secret anymore.

“We have to be smart in replying, countering allegations and answering them back. We should not be defensive,” Dr Mahathir said.