Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today that there should be no political dynasties in the country.

mahathir on mukhriz 230208 02 Mahathir said this was the reason why he did not fast-track his son Mukhriz’s political career during his tenure as prime minister.

While the former premier did not elaborate on his answer, many quarters believed it was a reference to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his son-in-law Khairy Jamaluddin.

Khairy - who is Umno Youth deputy chief - will be contesting in Negeri Sembilan’s Rembau parliamentary seat in the March 8 general election.

Mukhriz, on the other hand, will be vying for the Jerlun parliamentary seat in Kedah.

Speaking at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today, Mahathir said although Muhkriz has his blessings to stand as a candidate for Barisan Nasional, he will not campaign for his son.

"It (Mukhriz’ candidacy) was determined by the top leadership of the party (Umno). I will not lobby, I will not make mention anything," added Mahathir who headed BN and Umno for more than two decades before stepping down in 2003.

Recounting the call four years ago by Umno secretary-general Radzi Sheikh Ahmad for Mukhriz to replace his father as the Umno Kubang Pasu division head, Mahathir said he declined as he did not want to be accused of setting up his son as a political heir.

"I did not want people to say I was setting up a dynasty. We should not have dynasties in our country’s politics.

"I had no say in the choice (of Mukhriz). It was entirely up to the leadership of Umno. If they choose him, they choose him. If they don’t choose him, I have to accept that. No, I will not campaign (for Mukhriz)," he added.

Asked further, Mahathir refused to be drawn into the topic. "That is my choice," he said.

Good combination

On BN candidates chosen for the coming elections, Mahathir said it was a "very good" combination of old and new faces.

"I see a lot of old faces have been dropped and new faces being given a chance," he said, adding that he has yet to study the list in detail to determine if the candidates are credible.

"It’s up to the people to make an evaluation as to whether they are berwibawa (credible) or not."

mukhriz mahathir Asked whether he thought Mukhriz was a credible candidate, he said this would also be determined by the voters.

"It’s up to the people who are going to vote to determine that. I can’t say my son is powerful, brilliant, and all that. People will say, ‘Hey!" he said.

Mahathir said his only advice for Mukhriz was for him to be "serious and work hard".

On the complications in Perlis over the state BN candidates, Mahathir said there have always been such disagreements and tussles over positions in Umno.

"The main thing is, how do you solve these disagreements? During my time, there were also tussles and we had to resolve it," he added.

Perlis has seen days of uncertainty and talk of a massive revamp, including the dropping of its long-standing Menteri Besar Shahidan Kassim.

Seen as opposing Shahidan’s camp were Kangar incumbent MP Radzi and Padang Besar incumbent Azmi.

Perlis BN today announced its list of candidates which did not contain any major changes bar for one.

Radzi and Azmi will be defending their respective parliamentary seats as will Shahidan his Tambun Tulang state seat.

The only major change is the dropping of Syed Razlan Putra Jamalullail from the Arau parliamentary seat. He will instead contest at the Pauh state seat.