KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 18 — In yet another attempt to hasten Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s departure, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today said the postponement of the Umno election to March next year will result in the party not having enough time to regain the people’s confidence.
“I agree with Tan Sri Muhyiddin (Yassin), there is no need for an additional three months, what can Abdullah do in three months? I don’t think he can do anything,” said Dr Mahathir.
“No need for delay, we need time to rehabilitate BN, we only have four years to do that, or else we are going to lose the next election,” he added.
On Thursday, Muhyiddin told reporters that the campaign period is too long and will drain resources.
“The campaign period is the longest in years and has never happened before. All this because we want to accommodate the so-called power transition plan,” he reportedly said.
Said Dr Mahathir today: “We need to go down and meet the people, but at the same time we are facing an economic crisis.”
On the suggestion by MCA Youth yesterday that a second deputy BN chairman be created for the party, Dr Mahathir said the idea must be studied carefully.
“BN is a multiracial coalition, if they entertain one racial group, other racial groups will be unhappy, if the Chinese support the coalition, but the Malays do not, BN will still be weak,” said Dr Mahathir.
“It must be studied carefully, whether it helps in getting the Chinese support or it will just erode the Malay support,” he added.
He said that the BN is a system that allows every group “to be represented fairly but not equally”.
“Let’s be more careful, that is why certain issues should not be discussed publicly, as it is no longer rational because people will be moved by emotion,” he added.
Similarly, he said, the idea to open up BN for direct membership should also be studied thoroughly.
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