If the rakyat thinks the government is trying to sweep things under the carpet by asking GLCs to settle their cases with business tycoon Tajuddin Ramli, they can always vote BN out.

mahathir ebook launching 091211 02 "You can always decide not to support them in the next election," former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad ( left ) said at a press conference in Serdang today.

He was responding to a question on reports that allege the government is trying to minimise their exposure to a potential scandal by asking GLCs to settle their cases against the tycoon.

Asked about the four discounts given to Tajuddin in his RM1.4 billion settlement due to Danaharta, which ended up around RM500 million, Mahathir said that it was up to the judiciary.

"That is decided by the courts, which are independent. They can even decide that no action be taken," reasoned the former PM.

Govt can no longer pay for healthcare

Quizzed on his opinion about the proposed 1Care health plan, Mahathir expressed tentative support for the move.

"It is time we introduce a contributory health system. The government cannot pay the rising costs of healthcare for the rakyat.

"The cost of medication used to be one sen. You bring your own bottle and for one sen, you fill it with cough mixture.

"Now one capsule alone costs RM10. What if you have to take three to five capsules for five days?

"The cost is too high... an operation can cost RM10,000. The government cannot pay for it," he argued.

Asked if the inability of the government to pay was because it had depleted public coffers, Mahathir said that it was not so.

"The cost of (healthcare) is getting higher nowadays," he explained, blaming errant ambulance chasing lawyers who precipitated medical litigation cases.

He said this practice started in the west and had driven the cost of medical care uphill.

"There are lawyers who go to patients, asking them to sue doctors, and they then split the money," accused the former PM.