After a three-month long hiatus, DAP and PAS today received a shelling from their staunch adversary for more than two decades, former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

This time around, he accused the opposition parties of making promises that they cannot fulfill whenever an election comes around.

"If all taxes are to be abolished, how is the government ever to derive revenue. They make empty promises as they know they will not be able to form the government.

"It's not unusual. PAS is always lying, the DAP is just as bad... making promises they cannot keep," the former premier was quoted in a Bernama report.

He was speaking to reporters after a meet-the-people session at the Civic Centre in Sibu, Sarawak. Also present was Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud and several other Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders.

Mahathir was asked to comment on the manifesto released by the opposition front Barisan Alternatif (BA) yesterday, which among others, promised the formation of a transparent Islamic government.

Copycat opposition

In his speech earlier, the former premier said opposition parties were trying to copy the BN by calling themselves the BA.

"You know, when something is being copied, the quality is inferior. If you go to Kuala Lumpur, go to Petaling Street, you can buy a Rolex watch with RM30. Of course, it's copied.

"You want to buy a real Rolex watch, you'll have to pay a high price," he added.

He also said DAP should not contest in Sarawak as there was nothing for the party to do since the government had already delivered its promises.

"To do something, you must be with the government. Individuals cannot deliver. Right at the outset, the DAP has already stated it cannot win. The (number of) seats they are contesting is small and if you can't form the government, you don't go to contest," he added.

He also advised the voters to come out in full force on polling day to send a strong message that the BN could win the election with a bigger majority.

"This is in order to show the world that the smooth transition of power, the new leadership, has gained support, ever more than before.

"In Malaysia, the changes of leadership will not affect the support of people for the BN," he said.

Mahathir stepped down last November after 22 years in office. He was succeeded by Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Support BN

In another development, Mahathir said the country's younger generation must elect a government that was capable of bringing development and cared for their future.

"We must support the Barisan Nasional government because our country was built by BN," he was quoted as saying in a Bernama report.

He said the younger generation must remain united as practiced by past leaders during their time which led to the achievement of independence.

He added that the unity which was practised during that time led to the nation's rapid progress which transformed Malaysia into what it was today - a country respected by the whole world.

"The young people must remember and cherish the success of our past leaders. It means a lot when we cherish their efforts," he said.