KUCHING: The two-time former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad can continue to play a role as a politician but not as a prime minister, said a political analyst.
Dr Lee Kuok Tiung of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) said that in Malaysia, there are many more capable candidates who can lead as prime minister.
“Malaysian politics should move beyond Dr Mahathir and Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Both of them have long overstayed,” he told the New Sarawak Tribune when contacted.
Dr Lee was asked for his opinion on Mahathir’s remarks that he was willing to resume the post for a third time if there were strong calls for him to helm the post as prime minister and there were no other suitable candidates.
The senior lecturer said Dr Mahathir can still continue to defend his Langkawi seat or play an important role such as the “man behind” (advising others).
“Whereas the role of the prime minister should be given to the younger ones.
“Once you are a politician, it will remain in you forever. But they (politicians) should be able to know when to play different roles,” he said.
Dr Mahathir, who is now 97 years old, has served as the fourth and seventh prime minister of Malaysia.
He is currently the chairman of Parti Pejuang Tanah Air (Pejuang) and Gerakan Tanah Air (GTA), a coalition of four parties – Pejuang, Parti Perikatan India Muslim Nasional (Iman), Parti Barisan Jemaah Islamiah Se-Malaysia (Berjasa) and Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia (Putra).
At the GTA Conference in Kuala Lumpur yesterday, Dr Mahathir said he prefers to have some rest while only playing a role in advising others.
He said that he has been persuaded to be prime minister and that if there is no one else, he will accept the position.
However, he said it would only hold the position again for a period of one year instead of a full term.
