Politicians should not be seeking help from witch doctors, or bomoh, as they are commonly called, to further their political careers, former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad says.

Mahathir said this in a recent article on his blog - a lengthy piece titled ‘Takut ‘ (fear) - which touches on a common Malay practice of seeking help from the bomoh.

Mahathir wrote that back in 1969 when he was a medical practitioner, he had witnessed a bomoh turn a patient “invincible” by pricking him with gold needles.

This was followed by a demonstration, whereby the bomoh would slash the patient on his back and belly, leaving only minor superficial wounds.

“When he came to see me, I asked if I could prick a (surgical) needle into his body. The patient said it was impossible because he would not allow it.

NONE “I pricked him and the needle penetrated (his skin) as it should. He was not invincible,” said Mahathir.

Mahathir (left) used this as an analogy to urge the Malay community not to believe in superstitions, which he argued was a result of fear or cowardice.

“We should not be proud of a cowardly race... let us be a race that is brave. Politicians should not seek (help from) the bomoh just because they want to win.

“The bomoh cannot grant victory. Good deeds and humility, sensitivity to the needs of the people will grant you success and victory,” said the former prime minister of 22 years.  

The most high profile case involving a politician and a bomoh revolves around the Mona Fandey trial for the murder of her client Mazlan Idris in 1993.

Mazlan, then the Batu Talam state assemblyperson, was hacked into 18 parts and buried in Mona’s house compound. He had sought from Mona a powerful talisman, at a price of RM2.5 million.