KUCHING: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has been advised to stop playing with the idea of becoming the prime minister again for the third time.
Political analyst Dr Jeniri Amir told the Malaysia Gazette that Malaysia has never lacked competent and capable leaders to steer the country, as long as all parties put political stability, strengthening the economy and the future of the people as priorities.
Commenting on Dr Mahathir’s offer to become the prime minister for a period of one year if Gerakan Tanah Air (GTA) is given a mandate at the 15th general election (GE15), Jeniri believed that Malaysians would not trust Dr Mahathir after the ‘Sheraton Move’ which decimated the Pakatan Harapan reign in 2020.
“Based on what happened, I don’t know why he still thinks he deserves to lead the country again.
“I believe that the people no longer trust him (Dr Mahathir), enough is enough… Even if a survey is done, I am sure that the majority of the people no longer want him to lead.
“Mahathir needs to stop saying that others are not intelligent, incapable of leading the country, except him,” said Jeniri.
He noted that Dr Mahathir, 97, should retire completely and support the younger leaders to steer the country on the right path.
Meanwhile, Associate Prof Dr Mohd Izani Mohd Zain also told Malaysia Gazette he thinks it is inappropriate to give Dr Mahathir a third chance to become the prime minister.
However, he believed that the statement was made by the former prime minister to get reactions from the people.
“This country needs to be led by healthy individuals and not very old people. I don’t think if he goes up (becoming the prime minister), it’s a healthy political situation, Malaysia is dynamic… It’s like there is no one else. Malaysian politics has to change.
“Dr Mahathir should give way and support the new leadership, instead of him being the prime minister again. He should accept the new leadership in this country,” Mohd Izani said.
