Mahdzir: Dr Mahathir picked Langkawi as it is a safe seat
PADANG TERAP: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has been accused of choosing a safe seat by contesting in Langkawi, Kedah, in the 14th General Election (GE14).
Education Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said Dr Mahathir was not confident that he would get enough support from the opposition because of its political history. Thus, he was taking the safest route by contesting in Langkawi.
“Those in the opposition pact doubt each other. Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail (PKR president) looks at Dr Mahathir as someone who had sent her husband to prison.
“So does Mohamad Sabu (Parti Amanah Negara president).
“He sees Dr Mahathir as someone who had once detained him under the Internal Security Act. In fact, Dr Mahathir and Lim Kit Siang (DAP adviser) are suspicious of each other.
“This is why Dr Mahathir chose a safe seat to contest,” he said after opening the Sekolah Menengah Agama Maktab Mahmud Padang Terap’s Excellent Award Day here yesterday.
Mahdzir was commenting on Dr Mahathir’s decision to choose Langkawi as the constituency he would be contesting in for GE14.
Mahdzir, who is an Umno Supreme Council member and Padang Terap member of parlia- ment, said Dr Mahathir’s decision to contest in Langkawi showed that the Kubang Pasu seat was not safe for him despite being the elected representative there for 30 years from 1974 until 2004.
“Whether it is Kubang Pasu or Langkawi, it is up to him where he wants to contest. But, we can see that he is not confident enough to go back to Kubang Pasu.”
“Wherever he contests, our stand is to help the BN candidate win in GE14. I am confident that BN in Langkawi can retain the seat which has been ours.
“No matter who is nominated to contest there, we will win.”