The Malaysian Insight

DR Mahathir Mohamad has ruled out contesting again in the next general election due to his age.

The 95-year-old Langkawi MP said the next general election, if held closer to a full term, will be at least two to three years away, by which time he would be closer to 100.

However the former prime minister said he was ready to serve his party Pejuang by giving advice.

“If the next general election is held in the next three years, I will be 98, very close to 100.

“No need to contest at that age. However if I am asked to help, I will give my advice. Not by giving them financial assistance, only sharing my experience.

“I am ready to support my party,” he told reporters after visiting Langkawi today.

Dr Mahathir returned from retirement to lead Pakatan Harapan to victory in the 2018 general election and was appointed prime minister for the second time.

However, in February this year, he shocked everyone by resigning purportedly over a disagreement to on cooperating with Umno and causing the fall of the PH government.

The split in the party saw him and a group of supporters losing their party memberships for supporting PH.

Muhyiddin Yassin-led Bersatu is now part of the ruling Perikatan Nasional pact.

Dr Mahathir and his supporters had then formed Pejuang, a party which he said was formed to fight corruption and uplift Malay rights.

Recent political developments however could result in snap elections, especially after PKR president Anwar Ibrahim has claimed to have the majority support in Dewan Rakyat.

Among the options available to prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin is to advise the Agong to dissolve Parliament for snap elections.

Dr Mahathir today said he was against the idea of holding snap polls due to the Covid-19. – September 26, 2020.