Dr Mahathir: Barisan, Perikatan and Pakatan all can't form a good govt, only GTA can
KOTA KINABALU, Nov 6 — Gerakan Tanah Air (GTA) chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has today accused his rival coalitions of having political baggage and face allegations of corruption or bribery, including Pakatan Harapan (PH) of which he used to lead.
The former prime minister said that in comparison to Barisan Nasional (BN), Perikatan Nasional (PN) and PH, GTA is allegedly offering a clean start for Malaysia.
"We are the only clean party at the moment — all others have problems. Anwar is there just wanting to be prime minister.
"We are offering something clean. No court cases among us, and leaders have got experience. We are offering to turn Malaysia around,” he said.
"The three coalitions — BN, PN and PH — cannot form a good government, only GTA has the ideas and capabilities to repair the damages they did. We have many plans on how to rebuild the country,” he added.
However, when asked about GTA's election manifesto, Dr Mahathir said there is still no set date to announce it.
He said that most politicians made manifestos during elections as a way to fish for votes but most could not be carried out practically.
"Some things in manifestos cannot be carried out because they contravene the Constitution and we need a two-thirds majority to carry it out.
"We didn’t have the numbers and Anwar didn’t help. He was focused on becoming PM but where were his numbers when we needed them?” he asked, referring to PKR president Datuk Anwar Ibrahim's role during the 22-month PH administration with him as prime minister.
"There are many things they want to do but they cannot be done. Such as abolishing tolls. It may sound good but tolls are needed to repair roads,” he said.
The Langkawi incumbent MP said that there were many positive developments and ideas that did not come from a manifesto, such as making Langkawi duty-free.
"We won’t be making empty promises,” he said.
He added that Sabah is deserving of a leader and any leader from the state has a right to become a prime minister, but he scoffed at the promises of a deputy prime minister from the state as mere lip service.
"If they are sincere, then we support that. But I’m afraid that it is only an election promise and if they do win, it will be different.
"For me, if there is something positive for Sabah, we will support it,” he said.
Dr Mahathir is in Sabah for a two-day visit to launch the Sabah chapter of his Parti Pejuang Tanahair.
