KUALA KANGSAR: In a desperate attempt to garner support for Parti Amanah Negara (PAN) candidate, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today has labelled Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak as the 'Idi Amin of Malaysia'.
In his inflammatory speech at Kampung Baru Jerlun here, Dr Mahathir said Najib would do anything he could to stay in power.
"Like Idi Amin of Uganda, he (Najib) uses his power to suppress the people," he said at the Ceramah Perdana organised by PAN.
The late Idi Amin Dada was the third Ugandan president who is known for his brutal regime and crimes against humanity while in power from 1971-1979.
International observers and human rights groups have estimated that between 100,000 and 500,000 people were killed as a result of his regime.
Overthrown in 1979, he fled first to Libya and then to Saudi Arabia, where he died on Aug 16, 2003.
Although Dr Mahathir admitted that he could not talk much as he was fasting, the former prime minister continued to attack Najib, whom he claimed had tarnished the country's image.
"This Malaysian Idi Amin has embarrassed us, we were well known and respected as a democratic country before," he said.
The intense afternoon heat also did not stop Dr Mahathir from spitting venom at Najib, whom he accused of being a pest, and other Umno leaders, who he branded as "pemakan dedak" (bribe taker) and yes men.
Also present were Dr Mahathir's wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali, PAN president Mohamad Sabu, former Gopeng Wanita Umno chief Datuk Hamidah Osman and former Wanita Umno vice-chief Datuk Kamilia Ibrahim.
Dr Mahathir also urged the voters here to support PAN candidate Dr Ahmad Termizi Ramli and ensure that BN candidate lost her deposit in the parliamentary by-election.