Mira supports Dr M as Pakatan’s interim PM

(The Star) – The Minority Rights Action Party (Mira), formerly known as New Generation Party, has voiced its support for Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad as interim prime minister if Pakatan Harapan wins in the next general election.

In a statement on Friday (Jan 5), the party’s deputy president S. Francis Rhajahh said that Dr Mahathir had “delivered what no other prime minister before or after him could”.

He added that Dr Mahathir could provide certainty in policy decisions, but noted that the former premier’s authoritarian style should not come at the cost of freedom, and checks and balances.

“Dr Mahathir is much wiser now and has a completely different perspective of issues from being in the Opposition gallery,” he said.

“Rather, they are touting (Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri) Azmin Ali, (PKR president Datuk Seri Dr) Wan Azizah Wan Ismail or even (Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia president Tan Sri) Muhyiddin Yassin to lead.

“It’s a great folly to assume they would be a better choice,” he said.

He claimed that while Azmin has administrative experience, he would not “relinquish his position in favour of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim”.

“Alternatively, Dr Wan Azizah is a reluctant politician and rather a homemaker turned politician under forced circumstances,” he said, adding that Muhyiddin was seen to be “a weak leader” and “had a poor track record” as deputy prime minister under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

“Dr Mahathir is the only leader on the opposition side who has had the experience at the highest level, minus the political ambition with his advanced age,” he said.

He added that Dr Mahathir “could set the stage for Anwar to take over” if the Opposition was to take over the federal government.