Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has once again intensified his criticisms of current Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, calling for his resignation and labeling his administration as deceptive and ineffective. In a recent video message, Dr Mahathir encouraged Malaysians to gather peacefully at Dataran Merdeka on July 26 for the Turun Anwar rally—a movement backed by the opposition to express dissatisfaction over what they perceive as a government failing to deliver on its promises.
Dr Mahathir framed the rally as a legitimate democratic avenue for citizens to make their voices heard. He claimed that the public had grown disillusioned with Anwar’s leadership, accusing him of constant dishonesty. In his view, Anwar’s statements no longer resonate with sincerity, as he alleged that untruths consistently accompany the prime minister’s speeches.
Referring to Anwar’s recent televised announcement that introduced measures such as a one-time RM100 cash aid, a minor fuel price reduction, and an additional public holiday, Dr Mahathir dismissed these as superficial gestures. He likened them to a symbolic bait—arguing that while one hand offers assistance, the other quietly extracts far more through burdensome taxes. In his view, such efforts do little to genuinely ease the economic hardships Malaysians are facing and are merely attempts to placate the public ahead of rising discontent.
Beyond the financial policies, Dr Mahathir questioned the legitimacy of Anwar’s rise to power. He asserted that Anwar did not secure his position through a clear mandate from voters in the last general election but instead through post-election political maneuvering. This, he suggested, undermines the democratic foundation of Anwar’s leadership and justifies public calls for his resignation.
According to Dr Mahathir, the protest serves as a symbolic call for accountability, and he emphasized that demanding Anwar’s resignation is well within the rights of the people. He went so far as to accuse Anwar of betraying the country through his conduct in office.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Anwar has responded by affirming that he will not resign, maintaining that he has not engaged in corruption. He has also directed the police to cooperate fully with protest organizers to ensure that the rally proceeds peacefully and without incident.
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