Kulim-Bandar Baharu member of parliament Zulkifli Nordin today apologised to former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad for his past behavior.

The apology was made in front of 15,000 people who attended the leader-meets-people event at Sekolah Kebangsaan Panglima Raja in Pasir Mas, including Mahathir's wife, Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali, Kelantan Umno chief Mustapa Mohamed and Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali.

NONE In his speech at the event, Zulkifli said he would like to apologise to Mahathir because he had personally bad-mouthed the statesman when he was with the opposition pact.

"I admit my mistakes and I would like to apologise to Tun (Dr Mahathir) for my past behaviour and for bad-mouthing Tun," he said.

Mahathir was seen smiling and nodding while Zulkifli made the public apology.

"I didn't see your wisdom. I joined Anwar (Ibrahim) to bad-mouth you. I criticise you for sacking Anwar even though I know it was your biggest contribution to the country," he said.

Zulkifli then proceed with calling on the people to reject the opposition pact led by Anwar because the country would suffer tremendous damage should the opposition win the 13th general election.

Political climate better for BN than in 2008

Meanwhile, Mahathir said Kelantan was "ripe" for the BN to recapture the state from PAS.

mca chinese new year open house 100213 mahathir "The people in Kelantan are turning out in droves to hear BN leaders speak. And they are very spirited about the ‘tukar' (change) slogan to boot out the PAS government," he said, adding that they were fed up with PAS because although 23 years in power in the state their lives had not improved much.

Earlier today in Marang, Mahathir said he was convinced that the current political situation is more favourable to BN than during the general election in 2008.

He said the various approaches adopted by Prime Minister Najib Razak were better received by the people.

"I feel that after Datuk Seri Najib took over as the prime minister, the political climate changed and gradually began to favour the BN and Umno.

"In 2008, many Umno members also voted for the opposition due to disappointment. There is no reason for them to be disappointed now and Najib has been doing a lot to regain support for Umno and the BN," he told reporters after delivering ‘A Statesman's Message to the People of Marang', an event attended by about 2,000 people.

- Bernama