The Malaysian Insight

DR Mahathir today said some people would like to see him behind bars but were unable to show proof he was involved in corruption.

He was speaking at the launch of his book, Capturing Hope: The Struggle Continues for a New Malaysia” on Zoom. The title will be available in bookstores nationwide starting December 12.

The former prime minister said he is often accused of being corrupt, but he has never wanted money.

“People accuse me of being corrupt but (they must) show proof. (How can I be) dragged to court otherwise?

“They would like to put me inside but they cannot. I didn’t care for money, I cared for results,” he said.

Dr Mahathir holds the record for being the country’s longest-serving prime minister, holding office for 22 years while also helming Umno. In 2018, he made a comeback, this time aligning with the opposition Pakatan Harapan to bring down convicted former prime minister Najib Razak.

He returned as prime minister for a second time in 2018 before his term was cut short by the ousting of the government, who had been in power for just 22 months, which led to his resignation.

If given a chance to return to office for the third time, the Langkawi MP said his priority would be to rid Malaysia of thieves.

“I will try to set up a good government. Malaysia has had good and bad experiences but now it is called a kleptocracy

“We have to get rid of the thieves. The leadership must not be corrupt.”

Dr Mahathir, who is the chairman of Pejuang, said the party does not plan to form a coalition with other opposition parties for now.

“We are on our own but we talk to other parties.

“Our popularity is among the people; if we (take up with( the wrong people, we will lose our popularity.” – December 7, 2021.