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FORMER Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has stated unequivocally that he will not seek to assume the premiership for a third time, even if Perikatan Nasional (PN) were to reclaim federal power. Instead, the 100-year-old political veteran said he is prepared to offer advice, drawing on more than eight decades of experience in governance and politics.
“I am old, 100 years old. I can no longer deliver fiery speeches as I once did. I have no intention of displacing the younger generation. I am not aiming to be Prime Minister again—twice is enough,” he said during his address at the Himpunan Mandat Negarawan gathering held at Stadium Suka Menanti in Kedah on Thursday evening.
“But I would like to share some advice, as I have served as Prime Minister for 24 years and have been in politics for over 80 years,” he added.
Also in attendance were PAS President Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang, Bersatu Chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Bersatu Deputy Chairman Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, and Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor.
Mahathir said a PN-led government would be one open to advice, and he expressed confidence that many of the country’s pressing issues—particularly poverty—could be tackled more effectively under such leadership.
“If we change the government, we will have a Prime Minister who is willing to accept advice. I believe many of our problems, including poverty, can be resolved,” he said.
He argued that Malaysia, being rich in resources, ought to be able to offer its citizens a higher quality of life, but poor asset management has hindered progress.
“This country is wealthy. Everyone should be wealthy. But if we do not know how to manage our assets, we will never become rich,” he said.
He urged any future administration to focus on eradicating poverty, and asserted that PN has the capability to do so. He further encouraged Malays, in particular, to venture into business to alleviate economic hardship.
“I want to advise all Malays: why are Malays poor? Because they do not go into business. You cannot become rich by merely earning a salary. You won’t even have enough to send your children to university,” he said.
“That is why we must enter the world of business and industry. I’ve met many Malays now running businesses who have demonstrated capability, including in information technology. God willing, if we choose entrepreneurship, we can overcome poverty,” he added.
The Himpunan Mandat Negarawan was billed as a precursor to a larger rally scheduled in Kuala Lumpur on 26 July, which aims to pressure Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to resign.
Mahathir stressed that removing a Prime Minister need not occur solely through elections, particularly if public confidence has been lost.
“Prime Ministers are not always removed through elections. In the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson resigned because the public was angry over a tea party held during lockdown,” he said.
“In Bangladesh, the Prime Minister fled to India due to public pressure and resigned. In Japan, a small mistake can cause a Prime Minister to step down—many have done so without waiting for elections. When the people are unhappy, a Prime Minister should resign and be sensitive to public sentiment.”
Referencing his own resignation in 2020, Mahathir noted: “I resigned when there were disagreements—not from the public, but from within the party. Now the people are calling for Anwar to step down, but he refuses. He is too comfortable in his seat.”
He accused the current government of failing to deliver on its promises, leading to increased hardship among citizens.
“I am calling for Anwar to step down because he does not know how to govern this country. He has made many promises, but none have been fulfilled,” he said.
Mahathir alleged that despite Malaysia's financial reserves, the people remain poor due to poor economic management.
“We have a government that is oppressive. Many of our citizens are poor, leading to crimes driven by economic pressure. When we try to help the Malays, we are accused of breaking the law,” he said.
He also criticised current restrictions on public discourse, especially on race and religion, saying: “We can’t speak about Malay issues anymore—3R issues are off limits. Even in Parliament, speaking out gets you suspended for six months. This is the democracy and reform promised by Anwar Ibrahim.”
Citing Malaysia’s RM500 billion in reserves, Mahathir questioned why citizens have not benefitted from the country's wealth.
“We have a lot of money, but the people are poor. We keep our money in the United States by buying their bonds—helping rich countries like America, while our own people have no money,” he said.
He warned that Malaysians risk continued hardship if they fall for the reformist slogans he says have failed to deliver tangible results.
“That’s why we have gathered tonight—to remove AI. Not artificial intelligence, but Anwar Ibrahim. We don’t necessarily need to wait for a general election. A Prime Minister should be responsive to the people’s feelings,” he said.
Mahathir concluded by saying that PN bears the responsibility of awakening public awareness to the failures of the current administration, in hopes of rescuing Malaysia from deepening economic and social woes. - July 18, 2025
