KUALA LUMPUR: There is no other person more qualified to bring damage and ruin to the country than Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, when asked on Dr Mahathir's nomination as the opposition’s prime ministerial candidate for the 14th General Election, was sarcastic in his assessment.
He said the decision made by Pakatan Harapan on nominating the 92-year-old as its PM candidate was “accurate” as there was no one else more qualified to bring damage the country.
“This statesman had served for 22 years. If he is to be given the same position as before, he will likely repeat his mistakes.
“This recycling of past mistakes is very much awaited by Malaysians. There is no other leader more qualified than him to bring about damage and ruin to the country,” said Zahid.
Zahid was speaking after opening a Crime Prevention Education Convention here today.
After months of speculation on who Pakatan Harapan's PM candidate was, Dr Mahathir, the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) chairman, was eventually named on Sunday.
The decision has sparked discord and caused a rift within the opposition pact, with many from the grassroots questioning the selection of the former prime minister.
Among the chief criticisms of Dr Mahathir's administration was the suppression of dissent and free speech. In 1987, his administration cracked down on politicians and activists, with 106 of them detained under the now repealed Internal Security Act.
His leadership also saw the rise of the reformasi movement in the late 90s following the sacking and imprisonment of his then deputy Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is now his ally in Pakatan Harapan.
On a separate matter, Zahid said there was a need to review laws related to juvenile offenders.
“We cannot just punish and not educate them. This is why the curriculum in Henry Gurney schools is very effective. If we are to imprison youngsters, they will learn to commit heavier offences in prison.”
Zahid said convicted juveniles who were placed in these institutions were allowed to continue their studies and sit for public examinations.
“Most (of the juveniles) who come out of these institutions have a negligible recidivism rate,” he added.
He was responding to questions on the 159 juveniles detained under the Prevention of Crime Act 1959 (Poca) and the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma) 2012, and whether these children should protected under a different Act.
Zahid also called for the setting up of Crime Prevention Clubs in schools under the supervision of the Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF).
The convention, which was organised by MCPF, was aimed at training teachers on crime prevention. About 1,700 people, mostly teachers from schools in Kuala Lumpur, attended the event.
Also present was MCPF senior vice-chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye and the foundation’s Kuala Lumpur chapter chairman Bok Siew Mun.