Exhibiting his trademark wit, former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad today proved that he is a true-blue Barisan Nasional leader as well as statesman who is in touch with the sentiments on the ground.

First, the 83-year-old former BN chieftain said there was no need to hold a fresh election in Perak in order to resolve the political impasse in the state.

bukit gantang by election mahathir ceramah and luncheon 060409 04 But he quickly added that it was a ‘forgone conclusion' that Pakatan Rakyat would win if an election is held.

"I think the opposition... well not the opposition... I think that Pakatan is going to win. So why have an election? We already had an election," Mahathir told reporters in Cyberjaya today.

"This is my feeling. I didn't carry out any survey. (It is) just a feeling that I get after the debacle in Bukit Gantang and all that, and (from) talking to people," he said when asked to justify his remark.

Mahathir was referring to Pakatan's ousted Menteri Besar Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin's convincing win during the Bukit Gantang Parlimentary by-election in March.

Nizar is currently locked in a tussle with BN Menteri Besar Zambry Abdul Kadir since February when the ruling coalition wrested the state from Pakatan following the defections of three assemblypersons.

Pakatan commands 28 state reps to BN's 31, but Nizar is seeking the dissolution of the state assembly to hold a fresh polls while Zambry is against the idea.

Mahathir also stated there was no need for fresh polls due to the cost and that people are "sick" of elections.

"The voters have (already) decided (but) they appointed people who defect. What to do?" he asked.

'I hope people have short memories'

Instead of fresh polls, Mahathir said the right process now is for the state assembly to sit and move a motion of no-confidence against Nizar.

Mahathir also refused to share his opinions on whether Pakatan's V Sivakumar was legally removed as the state assembly speaker and replaced with BN's R Ganesan.

"I withhold my opinion, in deference to the courts," he said, despite this segment of the Perak dispute is not being brought to the courts.

Similarly, Mahathir refused to comment when asked if holding by-elections in the three constituencies held by the defectors was a possible solution.

najib pc at picc 140509 On Prime Minsiter Najib Abdu Razak's morning announcement that he was willing to meet his Pakatan counterparts to seek a solution to the impasse, Mahathir said any solution would be "very good".

"It is not good for the world to see us changing chief ministers every other day because courts make decisions. One says you are no longer the chief minister, the next day you (a stay of execution) is granted.

"This (game of) musical chairs is not very nice. If you want to play musical chairs, please play musical chairs. You don't have to fiddle around with the posts," he said.

Asked if the Perak debacle would affect BN's chances at the polls in future, Mahathir replied: "I hope people have short memories".

Mahathir was speaking to reporters after addressing the Asia Pacific Outsourcing Sevices (APOS) Post Event Tour, organised by Cyberjaya developer Setia Haruman Sdn Bhd.