SHAH ALAM – Pejuang candidate and lawyer Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali has defended party founder Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s earlier attempts at cooperating with other coalitions for the 15th general election for the greater goal of defeating Barisan Nasional (BN).
Rafique, who is contesting in Shah Alam, said former political rivals had done the same in the 2018 general election to stop the Umno-led coalition.
The polls that year should serve as an inspiration, and justification for how different parties can come together to fight a bigger enemy, he told The Vibes in an interview.
“Then, all the opposition parties from all walks of life, with whatever differences, had worked together to bring down one common enemy.
“That common enemy at that point in time was the Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s kleptocratic government.”
Rafique said while BN was defeated in 2018 and Najib is currently serving his prison sentence, the coalition has managed to revive itself with other leaders who are also facing court cases.
In this regard, he said it is important that rival parties work together to ensure BN is not given the mandate to rule for the next five years.
“Dr Mahathir is not important in this story, is what I’m saying.
“If he needs to go back to his enemies to slay the bigger enemy, then I think that’s a good move.”
Rafique was asked to comment on Dr Mahathir’s recent overture to Perikatan Nasional (PN) ahead of the 15th general election.
The 97-year-old, who is protem chairman of the Gerakan Tanah Air (GTA) coalition, was however rejected by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin whom he has called a traitor over the Sheraton Move in 2020.
Dr Mahathir was prime minister for a second time then, in the Pakatan Harapan government, and resigned after Muhyiddin took Bersatu, the party both men founded, out of the PH coalition. The PH government was then replaced by PN, and Muhyiddin became prime minister.
For Rafique, GTA’s stance has been very clear from day one, that the coalition will not cooperate with parties that have leaders embroiled in corruption. This is in reference to BN and Umno, which has leaders facing graft charges in court.
“History will show that two years ago, Dr Mahathir was given the chance to be prime minister again, by having those in Umno and with court cases support him, but he threw it away. He didn’t want that.
“He has always believed that the mandate of the people (during the election) must be held on to.
“So, if the question is why the need to work with certain other political parties, the message is clear – if you want to bring down a government with corrupt leaders, you’ll have to work together,” he said.
Mahathir’s age not an issue
On criticisms being levelled at Dr Mahathir over his decision to defend the Langkawi seat despite having turned 97, Rafique said age does not take away his good attributes, which the public should be focusing on.
The lawyer noted that people seem to be focusing more on the negative aspects of Dr Mahathir of late, although the latter is a statesman, a respected world leader and a visionary.
“Many of those who are still contesting in this election have in one way or another learned from him, and derived their political experience and administrative capabilities through him.
“And when it’s fine to look down upon him, you choose to do this, whereas most of the prime ministers in Malaysia after him came up under his tutelage,” Rafique said.
“Yes, Malaysia needs new, more vibrant leaders. Who else better to learn from than Dr Mahathir?” – The Vibes, November 13, 2022
