A BN component party president has claimed that former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad must have lost his mind in trying to make a political comeback via the newly registered Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia.

Parti Makkal Sakti Malaysia president RS Thanenthiran said this in his policy speech at the party's 8th Annual General Assembly today.

"I believe Mahathir must have lost his mind. He came back after 22 years of dictatorship," Thanenthiran told the 2,012 party delegates gathered at Dewan Tun Razak, Menara Bank Rakyat in Kuala Lumpur.

"I am sure Malaysians are not stupid...After 22 years of being the prime minister, he is now unhappy with prime minister Najib Abdul Razak who is a more democratic leader," he claimed.

Thanenthiran also reminded Mahathir, who is now Bersatu chairperson, of times during his own rule, when the people were denied their freedom to speak up.

"I believe that during Tun's time, many people would have been sent to prison for speaking up for what (they believe) is right," he said.

As such, he urged Mahathir to step aside and allow Najib to continue leading the country in a more democratic manner, towards achieving the former premier's own Vision 2020 dream for a developed Malaysia.

In his speech, Thanenthiran outlined eight motions which would later be debated by the delegates.

Among others, he said the party has requested for more representation at various levels, including in top government-linked corporations.

"Why not? Give chance to us... In Petronas, TNB (Tenaga Nasional Berhad), Khazanah.

"We assure you that we can lead...We have the people here who can assure that BN would be the winning party," Thanenthiran said.

In the eight years since the party’s formation, Thanenthiran said it now has 123,000 members, largely comprising younger Indian voters.

This, he said, was in line with the party’s motto of becoming a new hope for Indians and all Malaysians.

The meeting was officiated by Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi who in his speech, challenged Thanenthiran to prove his words and collect names of 7,000 members to be registered as new voters within 60 days.

This was in exchange for Zahid granting Makkal Sakti's request for a bus to help transport its members.

Swipe at Dr M

Zahid, meanwhile, also took an indirect swipe at Mahathir in dismissing rumours that Malaysia is in a state of political and economic instability.

"As a former banker, I know the economic situation. If you want to compare that in the 22 years it was supposedly better than today...You have to talk about the inflation and economic depression.

"I do not want to defend any leader but the current economic situation must be handled together...," he said, in pointing out how the economic situation at that time was supported by rising commodity prices.

Now times have changed. This is not a leadership issue but our reliance on the world commodity market," he said.

Also present were BN secretary-general Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor; People's Progressive Party president M Kavyeas; MIC secretary-general A Saktivel and representatives from India's High Commission in Kuala Lumpur.