Israel is a rogue, just like Najib, says Dr M

(FMT) – Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad today defended the government’s decision to bar Israeli athletes from entering the country, saying Malaysia will not recognise “rogues”.

In a speech at the Sungai Koyan 1 Felda settlement here, he compared this to how the people had on May 9 last year rejected the Barisan Nasional (BN) administration under Najib Razak.

“During Najib’s time, the people of Israel sent a representative who was accepted. But now, we will not allow Israelis to participate in the swimming event here.

“This is because the Israelis are roguish like Najib. See how Israel has stolen Palestinian land and built a building there.”

Malaysia does not have diplomatic relations with Israel, and Mahathir has been a long-time critic of Israel’s treatment of Palestine.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad with Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng, Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu and PH candidate M Manogaran in Cameron Highlands.

Earlier this month, the government banned Israel’s Paralympics swimming team from entering the country for the World Para Swimming Championships to be held in Sarawak in July.

Last week, it imposed a blanket ban on all Israelis participating in events hosted by Malaysia and said the country would no longer host events with representation from or participation of Israel.

In February last year, however, Malaysia hosted the World Urban Forum in Kuala Lumpur and received six delegates from Israel.

Mahathir, who is chairman of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition, also called on the people to reject kleptocratic leadership.

“As long as I’m alive, I’ll try to fix the country – not because of money, but because of my love for the country.

“This is our country. We grew up here, got married here, and had children here. That is why we want the country to be governed not by people who are thieves, but by good people like Abdul Razak, Abdul Rahman and Hussein Onn.”

He added that there was no point voting for BN and Umno anymore as both were in tatters.

“BN was rejected for the first time (after the 14th general election) due to a leader who is a rogue,” he said. “That is why we threw out Najib from his post as prime minister. After that, he was thrown out by his own party.

“So many Umno members came to see me, including (deputy president) Mohamad Hasan and (president) Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, to ask to work together.

“People joined PPBM in droves,” he added. “They wanted to join PH. People no longer trust Umno because they have nothing left.”