KUALA LUMPUR: Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) vice-president Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman is confident about contesting in the 14th general election (GE14).
Abdul Rashid said the decision to contest is ultimately in the hands of the party leadership, but he stressed that: "If you want to change the country, you have to be in power."
He also said he would eye a district he could win.
Asked about his age, Abdul Rashid said he is 74, and quipped: "Well, Dr M is over 90, so compared to him, I’m young," he said, referring to former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who is also PPBM chairman.
When asked if he will be joining the Bersih rally on Saturday, he replied: "Rallies are for young people. We’ll see. That is a (walking) rally. If it’s just a sit down rally, then it’s OK. I have to take care of my health for something better."
He said he will also use his knowledge and expertise as the former Election Commission (EC) chairman to champion his cause.
"Whatever knowledge I have, I will use. Not just against the government, but for the good of the country," he said, taking care, however, not to disclose exactly what his plans are.
Abdul Rashid said that he joined PPBM as he was searching for a new platform to fight for justice and the proper management of Malaysia.
"I see a lot of damage that has been done to the country.
"(But) this is a new party, and it’s headed by a well-known personality. The chairman is the PM of the country for 20-over years. So why shouldn’t I (have confidence in) him?," he said while making an appearance at Bukit Aman today in a show of solidarity with Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who was called up for questioning over statements he made in Parliament over the 1MDB scandal.
Asked if Umno had invited him to join their party upon his retirement as a career civil servant, he said there had been no formal request.