KUALA LUMPUR – Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad berated Melaka voters for supporting Barisan Nasional (BN), whose election campaign was led by a “corrupt” Datuk Seri Najib Razak, allowing the coalition to win with an overwhelming margin.
“What can we say about Melaka voters who delivered this result?
“Is it possible that they have forgotten the crimes committed by Najib? Or is it that they have forgiven him? Or is it because they believe his claim that he is innocent?
“Or is it because the voters did not care; that to them corruption is acceptable because they got something for themselves from this corrupt leader,” the 95-year-old former prime minister wrote in his blog, Chedet, today.
He did not discount the fact that such a mindset would likely return corrupt leaders to power through the next general election.
“What kind of country will Malaysia be when corrupt politicians rule the country?” Dr Mahathir asked, adding that should Malaysia fall into the hands of a corrupted government once again, the nation will spiral downwards.
Malaysia, Dr Mahathir said, would become a totally corrupt country which no one would invest in or visit.
“Businesses, big and small, would fail. The country would go into depression. It would be a failed country.”
Mahathir, who served as Malaysia’s prime minister from July 1981 to October 2003 and once again from May 2018 to March 2020, said that Malaysia has lost its reputation as an “Asian Tiger” due to Najib’s corruption scandal.
“Remember how greatly respected Malaysia was before Najib. It was known as an Asian Tiger. It was regarded as a model by many countries. Under a corrupt leader, Malaysia is labelled a kleptocracy, a country led by thieves.”
Additionally, he said that, if BN were to govern the nation again, the situation would worsen as it seems like Najib is still well-regarded and treated with respect despite his crimes.
Mahathir said that Najib has shown no remorse, hence, he would not change his ways even in the future.
Najib, who lead country from April 2009 to May 2018, was convicted of all seven charges related to the misappropriation of RM42 million of SRC International funds in July last year. He was sentenced to 12 years in jail and a fine of RM210 million.
In the recent Meleka election, BN clinched 21 seats in the 28-seat assembly, securing a two-thirds majority. – The Vibes, December 6, 2021
