Things will only get worse in Malaysia if the popularity hounds from the flip-flop opposition storm into power at the federal level, according to former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad today.

The 84-year-old statesman felt that most of the leaders in the opposition were willing to change their stand just to gain popularity and support from the people.

Focusing his attack on PAS just ahead of the Bagan Pinang by-election, Mahathir said some of these leaders were willing to declare as ' halal ' what they used to say were ' haram ' (forbidden in Islam) simply to please, former enemies who now had become partners in the opposition's Pakatan Rakyat coalition.

mahathir satria talk 310508 worried "I think things will only get worse (if the opposition comes into power at the federal level). Their leaders are willing to make ' halal ' everything," he was quoted as saying by Bernama .

Previously, Mahathir recalled how PAS leaders held the view that cooperation with non-Muslims would make one an infidel.

"But now not only are they cooperating with non-Muslims, they are also saying it is okay to rear pigs, only that Muslims should not consume pork.

"PAS quotes the Quran that pork is ' haram ' but that it did not say pigs cannot be reared. Going by this, it means we (Muslims) can rear pigs, can sell pork but not eat it," he said.

"Just because they want the cooperation of some people, they are willing to compromise on their principles," he added.

Come Oct 11, PAS Negeri Sembilan Zulkefly Mohd Omar will be taking on local Umno heavyweight Isa Samad in the Bagan Pinang by-election.

Umno still relevant

Earlier, Mahathir delivered a lecture titled ' Dari Minda Tun, Ketuanan Melayu ' (From Tun's Mind, Malay Supremacy) at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) in Dungun, Terengganu.

Mahathir further explained that Malaysia could ill-afford leaders who were inconsistent in their stand just for the sake of gaining popularity.

"It is just the same with another leader who is a now a strong supporter of Hindraf (the banned Hindu Rights Action Force movement)," he said without naming who he was referring to.

mahathir and umno 190508 02 Commenting on the future of Umno, the backbone of the BN, he said the party was still relevant but its leaders and members must be wise and brave in taking "corrective measures".

"If a leader does something that is not good, they must voice out... I laud the appointment of senator Idris Jala as minister in the Prime Minister's Department.

"There should be more appointments from outside the party in government leadership positions," he said.

In his speech earlier, Mahathir urged bumiputera students to be brave in competing with other races, including in pursuing higher education in private tertiary institutions that were not dominated by bumiputeras like UiTM.

They should prove their ability to compete by enrolling in institutions like Kolej Tunku Abdul Rahman, he added.