Malaysia’s Mahathir, 97, to run generally elections

Malaysia’s Mahathir, 97, to run generally elections Putrajaya (Malaysia), Oct 11 (AP) Malaysia’s 97-year-old former chief Mahathir Mohamad introduced Tuesday he’ll defend his seat within the normal elections anticipated subsequent month, although he wouldn’t say whether or not he could be prime minister a 3rd time if his political alliance wins.

“We have not decided who will be prime minister because the prime minister candidate is only relevant if we win,” Mahathir advised a information convention.

Though unlikely, he could be the oldest ever candidate for the publish, which has a five-year time period.

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob dissolved Parliament on Monday for snap polls, caving in to strain from his United Malays National Organization celebration, which is hoping for a giant win by itself amid feuds with allies within the ruling coalition. The Election Commission is because of repair a date throughout the week for a vote, which should be held inside 60 days of Parliament’s dissolution.

Despite his nonagenarian standing and a well being scare this yr, Mahathir stated he’ll defend his parliamentary seat in Langkawi island. He additionally warned {that a} win by the ruling UMNO celebration might see imprisoned ex-Prime Minister Najib Razak pardoned and let off the hook.

Mahathir was a UMNO premier for 22 years till his retirement in 2003. Then, in 2016, he was impressed to return to politics by the large looting of the 1Malaysia Development Berhad state fund throughout Najib’s time period in workplace and rode a wave of public anger to steer the opposition to a historic victory in 2018 polls that ousted UMNO, which had dominated because the nation’s independence from Britain in 1957.

Mahathir grew to become the world’s oldest head of presidency at 93, and oversaw graft costs in opposition to Najib and different UMNO leaders. But his reformist alliance collapsed in lower than two years on account of defections, returning UMNO to energy underneath a brand new coalition authorities.

After his authorities’s collapse in 2020, Mahathir shaped the Pejuang celebration and a brand new alliance with a number of small events.

Mahathir, echoing each the opposition and UMNO allies, slammed UMNO on Tuesday for placing its personal curiosity first in dashing elections throughout the annual monsoon season in November that brings main floods. He stated UMNO goals to win large by providing bribes and cash to the folks.

He stated UMNO’s primary goal is to free Najib, who started his 12-year jail time period in August after dropping his closing enchantment in a corruption case linked to the 1MDB scandal. Najib additionally faces a number of different trials linked to 1MDB that would lengthen his jail time period if he’s discovered responsible. UMNO President Ahmad Zahid Hamidi can also be on trial for dozens of graft costs unrelated to the 1MDB case.

“If they win this election, their first move would be to ask (Malaysia’s king) to pardon Najib. At this moment, they have made a request but has not been pardoned,” Mahathir stated. “Should they be able to win and form the government, that is their first objective, not about the welfare of the people.” Mahathir stated his political alliance hasn’t been accepted by the federal government and that some 120 candidates will run underneath Pejuang’s banner in Malay-dominated parliamentary seats.

Analysts stated Mahathir’s pull could now not enchantment to ethnic Malay voters who supported him in 2018. UMNO, which had solely 36 out of 222 lawmakers within the just-dissolved Parliament, believes many Malays have returned to its fold following its landslide victory in latest byelections.

The Alliance of Hope, which Mahathir led to victory in 2018 polls, stays the important thing contender with 90 lawmakers. Its prime minister candidate is Anwar Ibrahim, who was initially on account of succeed Mahathir earlier than their authorities collapsed.

While Mahathir competes head-on with UMNO and others for votes of Malays, who account for two-thirds of Malaysia’s 33 million folks, Anwar’s alliance stays on a multi-racial platform. Ethnic Chinese and Indians type massive minorities within the nation.

Anwar stated Monday that the election can be a time for the folks to vote out traitors who led to the collapse of his alliance authorities in 2020.

“Did you think we could reverse 60 years of entrenched corruption and kleptocracy with just one election? Did you think these conniving robbers and thieves would just give up?” Anwar stated in an announcement. “We don’t give up, either. We don’t give up, ever.”