KOTA BHARU: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad says the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government holds firm to three principles, which are serving the people, upholding the democratic system, as well as practicing separation of powers between the administration and the judiciary.
He said the PH government fights not for its leaders but for religion, race and the country.
“It is the democratic system which gives the people the power to choose a government and it is with this power that we give ourselves in service to the people.
“In a democratic system, we have rules that we have to respect. The previous administration did not respect these rules. We want laws that benefit the people and discard laws which are oppressive.
“We will also uphold the principle of separation of powers between the legislative, executive and the judiciary. We do not want leaders to dominate both executive and judiciary powers which leaves no avenue for them to be brought to action if they commit any wrongdoing,” he said.
The prime minister was speaking at a meet-the-people event organised by Kelantan PH, which was attended by around 1,000 people.
Also present were his wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali; Parti Amanah Negara (AMANAH) president and Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu; Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) vice-president Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman; Kelantan PH chairman Datuk Husam Musa; as well as Jeli member of parliament, Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed.
Dr Mahathir earlier received 13,717 party membership forms from Kelantan PPBM chairman Datuk Kamarudin Md Nor.
Meanwhile, Dr Mahathir, who is also PPBM chairman, urged the people to understand the situation faced by the Federal government, which is still unable to fulfil some of its promises.
“It’s true that before this, it was easy for us to make numerous promises. But some of these could not be fulfilled which has left the people disappointed.
“However, smart people will understand why they cannot be fulfilled given the debt left by the previous government which reached RM1 trillion.
“I am certain that the people are willing to wait for the country’s problems to be resolved before we fully make good on these promises,” he said. — Reports by Anwar Hussin, Muhamaad Razis Ismail and Mohd Zulkifli Zainuddin