Dr M as PM a ‘daydream’, say BN supporters

MIRI: The announcement by Pakatan Harapan to appoint Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad as Prime Minister should it win the 14th general election (GE14), is described as a ‘daydream’ by several local Barisan Nasional (BN) supporters.

According to Mulu Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Youth chief Usat Bilong, Dr Mahathir had been the prime minister for over 20 years and throughout his tenure, he had never supported the pursuit to safeguard the interest of Sarawakians.

“People don’t want this kind of leader to become the prime minister of Malaysia again,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Usat hailed the present Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak as a good leader.

“Under his (Najib’s) leadership, we can see many developments taking place in Sarawak including mega projects such as the Pan Borneo Highway.

“The government under Datuk Seri Najib is aware of the needs of the people in Sarawak and Sabah.”

In his opinion, political secretary to chief minister Sarkawi Suhaili, who is also PBB Bekenu deputy chairman, said Dr Mahathir did not bring much progress during his administration.

“I think there would not be much change should Tun Dr Mahathir become the prime minister again – in reality, Sarawak was still lagging behind other states under his previous administration, “he said.

In his view, Sarkawi said Pakatan Harapan was only using Dr Mahathir’s influence to take over the federal government.

“Sarawak has gone through a period where we were far behind in terms of development (during Dr Mahathir’s reign).”

In a similar sentiment, Bekenu PBB Women chief Hadijah Sheikh Kassim said Dr Mahathir has now entered ‘old age’ and should ‘retire and look after his grandchildren’.

“Tun Dr Mahathir should relax and do charity work for the people, rather than damaging the present government – his time is already out and he should give the chance to new people,” she said.

Last Sunday, Pakatan Harapan through its chief secretary Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah announced that Dr Mahathir – chairman of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PBBM) – as its prime minister candidate and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail as the candidate for deputy prime minister, should the opposition win GE14.

GE14 not plain sailing for BN – Minos

KUCHING: The upcoming 14th General Election (GE14) will not be an easy one for Barisan Nasional (BN), opined political observer Dato Peter Minos.

He reckoned that though the coalition had the advantage of incumbency, there were still issues that needed to be addressed.

“Though the country’s economy and Ringgit have slightly improved, BN still has to answer on issues concerning the high cost of living as well as the rising cost of housing in Malaysia,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Apart from that, he pointed out that Umno - BN’s backbone party - still has to convince the people that “all is well on 1MDB-related issues”.

“I cannot really predict the outcome of the 14th General Election but as a BN and PBB man, I pray and hope that BN will win,” said the PBB veteran.

Nevertheless, he expressed his confidence that the state BN will once again rise to the occasion come the election.

“Sarawak is not really affected by issues faced in Peninsular Malaysia, save maybe for issues concerning the cost of living.”