By Niza Shimi
Surely, he jests? Is he being sarcastic or is it just pure contempt? It’s hard to tell these days.
Tun Dr Mahathir was commenting on a reporter’s question if he was ready to become prime minister if his Gerakan Tanah Air (GTA) coalition wins the 15th general elections (GE15). (Bernama, September 16, 2022)
Tun Dr Mahathir said so far, he had not made any decision but said many parties were urging him to do so. If GE15 is held at the end of this year, as some predict, that would make him 98 years old by the time he becomes the 10th prime minister (PM10).
That would most certainly make him a super human of all time. But who has been whispering in his ears? Would you do that to your parents or elders when they should be enjoying their golden years in peace? But then again, this is Tun Dr Mahathir. He does things his way, as always.
When he decided to form Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) and join the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition, Tun Mahathir received the backing of property tycoon Tan Sri Lee Kim Yew.
Talking to The Star’s Ho Wah Foon (July 22, 2018), Lee said he (Lee) had received celebrity treatment after the May 9, 2018 win that ousted Barisan Nasional (BN) government for the first time. Lee felt like he had come out of being “nobody” for 15 years to become a “somebody” again.
Lee believed that Tun Dr Mahathir could save the “ill managed country”, adding that he felt by helping Tun he was helping the country. It was Lee who brought Tun Dr Mahathir together with Democratic Action Party’s Lim Guan Eng to discuss him joining PH.
It was also Lee who sponsored many political seminars and rallies organised with the aim to topple Datuk Seri Najib Razak and the BN government. Although a life member of Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), Lee often campaigned for Tun Dr Mahathir.
When the PH government collapsed on Tun Dr Mahathir’s decision to resign following the Sheraton Move in February 2020, Lee had warned PH as early as August 2019 via his blog (Malay Mail, August 8, 2019) that PH could be a one term government if it didn’t get its priorities right.
He reminded the four-party PH that it is now the government and is obligated to spend taxpayers’ money prudently and not waste time on intra- or inter-party quarrels.
“Their in-fighting have given chance and hope to BN especially UMNO that they may regain back the power. A BN government which PH described as a Kleptocracy government might make a comeback!!!” Lee wrote. Perhaps Lee feels like a nobody again now that his warnings went unheeded.
Will Lee’s prediction come true? Can BN and United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) make a comeback in GE15? Can Tun Mahathir survive the rigours of campaigning for GE15? Would he outlive us all and still be PM10? Nothing is impossible when you are Tun Mahathir.
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