ALOR SETAR, July 18 — Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has declared he has no intention of returning as Malaysia’s prime minister for a third time, but stands ready to serve as an advisor if Perikatan Nasional (PN) takes power.
Speaking at the Himpunan Mandat Negarawan rally in Stadium Suka Menanti, Dr Mahathir, now 99, said his age no longer allows him to lead from the front, but his experience spanning over eight decades in politics remains valuable. “I’m not here to replace the younger generation… I just want to offer advice,” he said.
The rally, attended by key PN leaders including Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang, served as a prelude to the larger “Himpunan Turun Anwar” gathering set for July 26 in Kuala Lumpur. In a fiery speech, Dr Mahathir slammed Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s administration, accusing it of failing to eradicate poverty and fulfill election promises despite Malaysia’s wealth.
He also warned of the dangers of a government suppressing dissent, mocking the “reformasi” movement as “stale rice” and calling for Anwar’s resignation without waiting for the next general election. Dr Mahathir also criticised the lack of transparency in judicial appointments and the clampdown on public discourse involving race, religion, and royalty (3R issues).
“We have wealth, yet our people are poor because of mismanagement. Reformasi has become a tool of oppression, not liberation,” he said, adding that the people’s voice must be respected if Malaysia is to escape worsening economic and social turmoil.
