Mahathir says he can last for two more years

KUALA LUMPUR: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has dismissed concerns that his age will affect his performance in leading the Pakatan Harapan (PH) and said that he can lead the coalition for two years.

“I can’t stay for very long. At the most, I can last for two years,” the 92-year-old Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia chairman said in an interview published in The Mainichi newspaper yesterday.

The former prime minister said that he was up for the fight as PH prepares to challenge the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) in the 14th general election (GE14).

“I decided to eventually form a party and this party needs to work with other opposition parties if it is going to challenge BN,” he said, referring to PPBM which he cofounded in September 2016.

He added that he assumed the leadership role in PH because its other components felt that he should.

Mahathir was announced as PH’s candidate for prime minister should the coalition wrest Putrajaya from BN in the polls, during PH’s annual convention on Jan 7.

On Jan 21, PPBM information chief Kamarudin Mohd Nor defended Mahathir’s ability to lead, saying age was no barrier as he was mentally sharp and had vast experience to share for the benefit of the people.

“So the issue does not arise. He can go anywhere and does not need to say much. Just wait for the election to come,” Kamarudin had said in rebuffing a suggestion by preacher Zamihan Mat Zin that Mahathir was too old to be politically active. Zamihan had the day before said that an old man who had been in power for 22 years should enrol in a madrasah and spend time in prayer.