“You cannot topple a menteri besar or a prime minister without a no-confidence vote in the assembly. There is no other provision.”
FORMER Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, speaking out against the takeover of the Perak government by the Barisan Nasional (BN). Calling the coalition “too careless”, Mahathir said the BN should have done things properly and not “be in conflict with the law.” (Source: Dr M says Perak grab unlawful, The Malaysian Insider, 14 March 2009)
“Because this may be in conflict with the law, we find that people will not comply. Because we started on the wrong foot, people are now against us,” Mahathir was quoted as saying.
These comments were made before Mahathir rejoined Umno on 4 April 2009. He had resigned on 19 May 2008, citing a loss of confidence in the party under Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s leadership.
“It (the BN state government) is now a matter of fact, so it must be supported unless they can prove that is legally wrong.”
Mahathir again, two days after rejoining Umno. He was speaking to a crowd of 3,000 in Bukit Gantang, where he said that he fully supported Najib as the new prime minister and Datuk Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir as Perak menteri besar. Mahathir observed that “at the moment, it seems the [BN] government is accepted by the people.” (Source: Dr M endorses Perak takeover, The Nut Graph, 6 April 2009)
The Bukit Gantang by-election is considered a referendum on whether the Perak citizenry has accepted the BN’s takeover of their government. Mahathir is still a popular figure among a majority of Malaysians. When asked about his obvious flip in opinion, Mahathir answered, “I am not a judge, but I can give an opinion. Maybe I am wrong. It all depends on the judge.” 
abubaker says
A father or mother who comprehends what parenting is would prefer to go hungry rather than teach their children to lie or steal.
A business person who knows what it is to be truly rich would prefer bankrupcy rather than getting rich by cheating people.
However, Mahathir prefered to contradict himself rather than face losing in the Bukit Selambau and Bukit Gantang by-elections.
To win doesn’t mean you push people down by selling or betraying your own principles and moral conduct.
Mahathir should check his own attitude before saying other people are weak and corrupt.
sam says
Dr Mahathir speakes with forked tongues. One day he will talk about racial equality and the next about Malay [Malaysian] dominance.
Let’s just ignore him.
Tshiung Han See says
Nice one, Zedeck. Mahathir should be drilled on this whenever he makes a public appearance. It clearly doesn’t fit in Najib’s vision of accountability in government.
Eskay says
We will all go crazy if we continue to be subjected to the flip-flop, contradictory comments from this “apa nama tu”.
Why doesn’t he just retire gracefully?
din haron says
Mahathir, you speaks with two tongues.
james says
Pak Lah used to be well-known as Mr Flip Flop. Apparently Dr M has been won over by Pak Lah’s misplaced sincerity and aped the latter. Perhaps we can now call Dr M as Dr Flip Flop who has aped Pak Lah.
Nurulhuda says
I am so glad my father is dead. He was once an ardent support of Mahathir; I’m the opposite. I used to be once.
It would break my father’s heart to see what Mahathir is doing to himself…..and those people around him not doing anything to stop him from embarassing himself further.
Mahathir’s book The Malay Dilemma was like a “bible” to me. When Mahathir later said: “That book was a mistake”, I lost whatever respect I had for him.
Sad when a great leader just doesn’t know when to stop and move on gracefully.
boeyks says
In my opinion it could be Dr M’s later remark on the Perak takeover (which was a 180 degree change from his earlier stand) that had contributed to a bigger win by the opposition. In his 22 years we had seen how quickly he could change with the tide in order to suit his ambitions. We should learn from such experiences. He mentioned “Now it depends on the judge” in reference to the Perak constitutional crisis. I am getting worried now that he’s back in Umno…