Pakatan says cannot rule forever without voter support

By Roznah AJ and Leannza Chia

September 07, 2012

 

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 7 — Opposition leaders attacked Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today for engaging in scare tactics, pointing out that any government could be voted out of power, after the former prime minister suggested yesterday that Pakatan Rakyat (PR) would contrive to rule forever if it wins the next general election.

Dr Mahathir (picture) had warned Malaysians that the country may never see a Barisan Nasional (BN) government again if PR is voted into Putrajaya, saying the federal opposition would do “everything possible” to stay in power forever.

The influential leader laid the credit for all of Malaysia’s success on BN’s doorstep, saying that it was “almost a miracle” that the country managed to soar economically and socially despite its diverse racial make-up.

PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu said that as long as democracy was accepted in this country, the public would have the ultimate power to determine the government of the day.

“Selecting who should be in power is a mandate given to the people and it is not merely in the hands of political parties,” he said.

“He (Dr Mahathir) came out with the statement because of the intention to scare the people as he is aware of the mistakes done by BN.”

PAS secretary-general Datuk Mustafa Ali said that no matter how defective democracy was in the country, there were provisions in the Constitution to change the government.

He said it was the democratic right of the public to vote out the government if they are unhappy with its administration.

“(After all) BN is in power because of the rakyat,” he said.

Kuala Selangor MP Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said democracy will determine everything when it comes to who will govern.

“If PR becomes corrupt, maybe it can’t even last for a term and will be toppled by the rakyat,” he said.

He added that it was obvious that any ruling party would strive to be in power forever.

DAP Socialist Youth chief Anthony Loke said the statement by Dr Mahathir was just an attempt to frighten people because the momentum for change was strong.