BN-MCA-Pas cooperation is hypocritical, says Dr M
In yet another blazing salvo against Barisan Nasional (BN) and its new ally Pas, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad labelled the opposition as being “hypocrites” in its latest run for the Tanjung Piai parliamentary seat.
(NST) – The chairman of Pakatan Harapan (PH), which is the main contender against BN to defend the seat it won with a wafer-thin margin the last national polls, also said the latter would do the necessary even if it had to be “insincere” with the voters.
He was referring to the Muafakat Nasional treaty where BN – along with its component parties which includes MCA – and Pas, signed a charter to mark their political cooperation as the opposition bloc.
Dr Mahathir said the narratives employed by BN was dependent on their candidates and constituency, as seen during the Cameron Highlands by-election and the ongoing run for Tanjung Piai.
“They are not sincere. Hypocrites. In front of (the Malays in Cameron Highlands), they were supposed to be the saviours of the Malays.
“But when they are here, they are no longer Malays. That’s because they only think about winning the election.
“They can’t walk the talk,” he told a press conference in Pekan Nanas, here, today.
For the Nov 16 by-election, PH is fielding Tanjung Piai Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) division chief Karmaine Sardini.
The by-election will see a six-cornered fight where the two main contenders are Karmaine and Datuk Seri Dr Wee Jeck Seng from BN.
Dr Mahathir expressed hope for Tanjung Piai voters to show support for the ruling coalition and not to be easily swayed by vicious sentiments that paint the government in a bad light.
“Tanjung Piai voters are not stupid. They have gone through 14 by-elections and they know about deception and dishonesty.
“This time we can see that BN is lying and Tanjung Piai voters must be mindful of this. We should not be easily influenced,” he said.
The Tanjung Piai seat fell vacant after its incumbent Datuk Dr Mohd Farid Mohd Rafik who was also deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, died on Sept 21 due to heart complications.
In the 14th general election, Dr Farid of PH won the seat after polling 21,255 votes to defeat Wee who received 20,731 votes and Pas candidate Nordin Othman (2,962 votes).
The upcoming by-election will see a six-cornered fight. Aside from Karmaine and Wee, those contesting are Wendy Subramaniam (Gerakan), Datuk Dr Badhrulhisham Abdul Aziz (Berjasa) and two independent candidates, Dr Ang Chuan Lock and Faridah Aryani Abd Ghani.
