Mahathir won’t contest next GE

Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today hinted that he might not contest in the next general election (GE).

During an interview with CITYPlus FM, he said he will continue to provide strong support to his Parti Pejuang Tanah Air (Pejuang) party.

“I will be 97 or 98 in the next election, I know I am old. I am a bit lucky as I have not lost the ability to interact, argue and lead the party.

“My party wants me to contest but I do not think I should,” he said today.

He also defended the formation of his new party by stressing that there should be a Malay-based political party which can go head-to-head against Umno.

This has worked in the previous GE when Umno’s splinter party Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) managed to garner support from the Malay community and win the election together with Pakatan Harapan (PH).

“The main objective in the next election is not to destroy Malay dominance, but to change from a corrupt government to a clean one. We must defeat Umno.

“Umno might be gaining popularity (back) and it (the government) could be led by people who have shown that they are corrupted,” he said.

Speaking of a possible political coalition in the next GE, he said they should be taking people’s sentiments into consideration when choosing their ally.

Dr Mahathir suggested that Pejuang will not form any cooperation with Umno due to its implications with corrupt practices in the past.

“Not many parties are free from corruption, we know Umno is corrupt and parties formed from Umno break-offs are also corrupt.

“We hope they (Umno) will not be supported by the people, they should support a clean government.

“We promise to provide good governance. All Pejuang members and candidates will take an oath not to be influenced by money or involve in corrupt practices,” he added.

NST