‘OPPOSITION JUST WANTS FELDA VOTES’
Dr M could have reduced settlers’ debt when he was PM, says Kedah MB
KEDAH Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah has described the opposition’s promise to reduce Felda settlers’ loans if it wins the 14th General Election as a ploy to fish for votes.
Bashah questioned why the agenda to reduce Felda settlers’ debts was not initiated when Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was prime minister.
“He was prime minister for 22 years. Why didn’t he do this then? There was so much he could have done.
“What Dr Mahathir did then was in (the interests of) his cronies,” he said after launching the “Jom Turun Bendang” programme in Kampung Suka Menanti here yesterday.
Bashah was commenting on the opposition’s pledge to offer a 50 per cent discount to Felda settlers to help them clear their debts if the opposition won GE14.
He also asked why Dr Mahathir, when he was prime minister and being a Kedahan, did not approve compensation for the state government on the loss of logging revenue as a result of dam construction.
“Now that he isn’t prime minister, he is urging the state government to demand compensation from the Federal Government.
“Dr Mahathir says one thing and means another. Compare this with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who is helping the people by abolishing tolls and building (toll-free) highways.”
He said Dr Mahathir was willing to topple Umno and Barisan Nasional for personal interests.
“He appears to have forgotten his roots.
“I wish to remind the people of Kedah to be careful with anything offered by the opposition.”