Vote for 'good candidates', not parties - Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad

Former Malaysian premier Mahathir Mohamad said he would remain a thorn in the side of his successor in the run-up to elections, and would continue to speak his mind.

Former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad says voters should vote for "good candidates" instead of parties in the next general election to ensure the Barisan Nasional (BN), especially its main component Umno, is "cleansed". "(This is) because there is no hope that Umno can be cleansed from within. Everything is controlled now. Nobody can have an opinion and contrary views ... they will make sure they are unheard," he told a press conference after launching a book titled 'Mahathir’s Selected Letters to World Leaders'. He said voters should not support corrupt leaders, even if the candidates are from BN. "That way, we can clean up BN and Umno," said Mahathir, who was in his usual combative mood.

Mahathir said he would only campaign for candidates who can bring good to the country but will not campaign for opposition candidates. "Last time, I said I would help in the (election) campaign. But in 2004, the BN was so popular, so I did not campaign. (Now) I will campaign if I believe that that candidate can bring benefit to the people," he said. "I hope that we will love the country enough to vote for the best candidate. But I think people who support BN should be a little bit more selective. (They) should think and have wisdom to choose people they support."

On whether he could accept the fact that the opposition would win more seats in the next general election, he said the Opposition would not win more seats than BN and that even if they have more seats, they would not be able to form a government.

Advise

It is up to the people to assess who should continue and who should go ... candidates who have not delivered must not be retained, only that way can we clean up BN and Umno," he said adding that he would never lend his support to the Opposition. Dr Mahathir said there was no reason for voters to feel that they should accept a candidate just because he is from BN to ensure the party's win. This, he said was because it is impossible for the Opposition to win more seats than BN, to form a government. He said Malay voters especially, must change their mindset and not keep voting merely for a party but should rather consider the candidates fielded.

Cautioning voters of an irreparable move if they did not vote wisely, he said unless Malaysians wished to have a party that is centred on nepotism and corruption, they must reconsider voting for the same people who have not performed. "The mindset of the Malays is such that even if you put a piece of log (to represent the party) they will vote for it... as they cannot allow the party to lose. "If you cause a candidate to lose, it does not mean that the party will lose, it will still win," he said.