Democracy will flourish again, says Mahathir
KOTA BARU: The Pakatan Harapan government will ensure democracy in the country, which was severely damaged by the previous government, will flourish again, says Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
The Prime Minister said Pakatan held to the principle of separation of powers between the legislative, executive and judiciary, unlike the previous administration.
“We will respect the three branches, not like previous leaders, who thought they could act with impunity.
“The final arbiter is a judiciary that is free of outside influence. Before, wrongdoers were not brought to justice,” he told reporters after a gathering with over 1,000 Kelantan Pakatan leaders here yesterday.
Also present were his wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, Parti Amanah Negara president Mohamad Sabu and Kelantan Pakatan chief Datuk Husam Musa.
Commenting further, Dr Mahathir said the people should back the government so that there would be no repeat of leaders straying.
He said the essence of democracy was giving people “real freedom” to choose their government and this was proven in the 14th General Election when the people booted out the old government.
He assured that Pakatan would have the people’s interests at heart.
The Prime Minister also said Pakatan was confident of wresting Kelantan in the next general election based on the people’s support for the current government.
On unfulfilled manifesto promises, Dr Mahathir said the rakyat could understand the actual situation as the new government was forced to be “extremely prudent” in financial matters, following the mountain of debts left behind.
On a separate matter, Dr Mahathir said that no government posts would be offered to former minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamad, who quit Umno and has now joined Bersatu, saying it was the policy of Pakatan.
“They must clean themselves from the previous government’s practices and (they) will see a certain period of time pass (before they can hold any posts),” he said.
Dr Mahathir also said that Pakatan welcomed any Umno leader or member wishing to join them but they must accept the principles it championed.
Earlier, he held a closed-door meeting with the leadership of the Kelantan Bersatu at a hotel, attended by state party chief Datuk Kamaruddin Md Nor and his deputy Datuk Sazmi Miah.
The Prime Minister also met Kelantan Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob to discuss various matters, including development in the state. — Bernama