Not my decision to name Mukhriz as deputy PM, says Mahathir
(FMT) – Dr Mahathir Mohamad has denied that he was behind the nomination of his son Mukhriz as deputy prime minister II if Pakatan Harapan returns to Putrajaya.
“I knew I would be criticised when Mukhriz was nominated as deputy prime minister II,” said Mahathir on his website today.
“This proposal didn’t come from me. The appointment was mentioned in a joint statement with Amanah’s (president) Mohamad Sabu and DAP’s (secretary-general) Lim Guan Eng on June 22. ”
Mahathir said he had banned his sons from taking part in politics during his first stint as prime minister as he did not want to be accused of nepotism or of providing his family with special privileges.
However, he allowed his sons to re-enter the political arena when he was no longer prime minister.
“They were free to enter politics. Whether they are successful or not depends on them,” he said.
“When Mukhriz’s name was proposed for certain positions, I had no right to oppose it because of my personal interests.
“Whether this explanation is believed or not, it’s up to everyone to decide. I’m sure there are people who are my enemies who will talk cynically. I accept this because it is human instinct,” he added.
Mahathir had proposed Sabah Chief Minister Shafie Apdal as prime minister if PH was returned to power, with PKR president Anwar Ibrahim and Mukhriz as his deputies.
The opposition parties have been unable to settle on their choice of candidate for prime minister, with Mahathir initially wanting to be prime minister for a third time for six months before handing over power to Anwar, a proposal that was rejected by PKR.
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MUKHRIZ SEBAGAI DPM
1. Saya sedar saya akan dikritik apabila menama anak saya Mukhriz sebagai Timbalan Perdana Menteri II.
2. Cadangan ini tidak datang dari saya. Dalam kenyataan bersama Mohamad bin Sabu, Ketua Parti Amanah dan Lim Guan Eng, DAP pada 22 Jun, pelantikan Mukhriz sebagai TPM II sudah pun disebut.
3. Saya berada dalam keadaan serba salah. Di waktu saya jadi Perdana Menteri kali pertama saya telah larang anak saya dari bergiat dalam politik, khusus sebagai ahli parti Kerajaan. Saya tidak hendak dituduh mengamal nepotisme, memberi keistimewaan kepada keluarga saya.
4. Tetapi apabila saya tidak lagi menjadi Perdana Menteri, tanggungjawab menjaga nama saya, tidak sepatutnya dipikul berterusan oleh anak saya. Mereka bebas untuk berpolitik. Jaya atau tidaknya politik mereka bergantung kepada diri mereka.
5. Apabila nama Mukhriz dicadang untuk jawatan-jawatan tertentu, saya tidak ada hak untuk menentang kerana kepentingan diri saya.
6. Sama ada penjelasan saya ini dipercayai atau tidak, terpulanglah kepada masing-masing. Sudah tentu orang yang bermusuh dengan saya, akan bercakap sinis. Ini saya terima kerana memang pun ia adalah naluri manusia.
