Tun M casts ill intention over emergency remark

KOTA BARU: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has tarnished Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and the Barisan Nasional (BN) by accusing that they will resort to declaring an Emergency to prevent general election from being held.

Kelantan Umno liaison chief Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said the move by the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) chairman calling the people to take to the streets over the matter also showed that Dr Mahathir continued to make the U-turn move.

He said such accusation by Dr Mahathir was baseless as the country had its laws in place coupled with the presence of Police as well as election regulations under the under the Election Commission.

“While he was a Prime Minister, Dr Mahathir had rejected and was against street demonstration but now he is the one who is encouraging people to hold demonstration against the Government.

“His baseless remarks should be rejected by the people, as street demonstration is not the best channel to resolve problems and misunderstanding,” he said.

Mustapa was speaking to reporters at a press conference after witnessing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between An-Medicare and A-BIO here today.

The International Trade Industry Minister was commenting on Dr Mahathir’s remarks in calling for the people to take to the street if an Emergency is declared, so as not to hold the general election.

Commenting further on the issue, Mustapa said taking to the streets was not the Malaysian way to resolve problems.

Instead of such an approach, he said it should be undertaken through musyawarah (discussion) and muafakat (cooperation).

“The people must go through the proper channelled to voice their opinions without having to resort to demonstration.

“I am confident that the people are now more matured and will reject Dr Mahathir’s statement,” he said.