And in Bkt Selambau, he urged Malays to back Ganesan
Unlike most of the ceramah often heard in the run-up to the Bukit Selambau by-election, the speech by outspoken former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad today was somewhat targetted at reassuring the Malay community here that BN's S Ganesan was the right man for the job.
Unlike most of the ceramah often heard in the run-up to the Bukit Selambau by-election, the speech by outspoken former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad today was somewhat targetted at reassuring the Malay community here that BN's S Ganesan was the right man for the job.
The Kedah-born former premier, two days after re-joining Umno following his self-imposed exit last May, made a quick last-minute stop in Sungai Petani after visiting Bukit Gantang today.
Some 4,000 people - almost exclusively Malays - were gathered at the Institute Kemahiran Mara (IKM) anticipating Mahathir, who was practically squashed by the crowd upon arrival, hoping to catch a glimpse of the party veteran.
In his 30-minute speech, he focused on why it was necessary for Indians to have their representative in Bukit Selambau, although there is a Malay-majority seat where they comprise 60 percent of the constituency.
There was neither a hint of sarcasm nor any mention of Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim in his address - in contrast to his speech in Bukit Gantang earlier today - to a highly euphoric crowd which obviously enjoyed his witty remarks.
At every juncture he explained why there were dissatisfaction among the Malay, Chinese and Indian communities.
"From my 22 years in running the government, I know it has to make decisions and sometimes these decisions are more favourable to one race than the other," said Mahathir.
"The Indian community in this country is a smallest majority compared to the Malay and Chinese communities.
"In no election area, the Indian community is a majority but the leaders of the Malay and Chinese community are willing to sacrifice to allow Indians to have their leaders," said Mahathir.
No need thousand of majority
However, he asserted that to win an election, there is no need to have a majority of thousands votes but just one vote will do it, and in that aspect the votes of the Indians in Bukit Selambau would make a difference.
"Although there are not many Indians but if the votes of the other races are split, the Indian votes will decide who wins the election," he said.
He reiterated his Bukit Gantang message that Barisan Nasional lost its two-thirds majority in the last general election, not because the people preferred the opposition but because the people were disappointed with the government.
"The by-election in Bukit Selambau is not going to help topple the (state) government but it is important indeed to choose and vote wisely to ensure that there will be development," he said.
Mahathir also spoke highly of new Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, describing him as a leader who is concerned about the people and willing to hear their queries. He also said that it was also the reason he decided to rejoin Umno.
"But although I am in Umno now, I will criticise the leadership if their performance is unsatisfactory," said Mahathir.
All those who are aspiring to be the people's representative should emulate Najib, said Mahathir, as Najib's first action as the premier was to visit the streets of Kuala Lumpur.
"I have read about Ganesan and I believe Ganesan is the suitable candidate... but if he does not perform, send me a letter and I will confront him.
"After all, I am campaigning for him and he is not paying me one sen, so if I say he is hard working he must be hard working... if you feel he is not doing his work, send me a letter confidentially," quipped Mahathir.
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