YOURSAY | 'If Kit Siang can win Gelang Patah, surely Mahathir too can rout his rivals...'

Let ‘Captain Mahathir’ win in a safe FT seat

Rubystar_4037: In this round (GE14), Pakatan Harapan's prime minister-designate Dr Mahathir Mohamad must win at all costs.

I used to hate him for what he had done to Malaysia, but not anymore, seeing him wanting to make amends and not wavering in the quest to make this nation better.

I do hope that all citizens can see that Dr M is the only choice if we are to move forward. The excessiveness of Umno is way too hard to stomach.

Voice: Yes, the issue with Mahathir is not whether he could win or how badly he can trounce his opponent, but that he must win at all costs.

He has a good chance in Langkawi or Kubang Pasu, but in Kepong, Seputeh and Cheras, he will give his opponent no chance at all.

Bandar Tun Razak would see another convincing win for him. Therefore, he should be considered for one of these six parliamentary seats.

Madam X: I absolutely agree with Malaysiakini columnist Francis Siah.

Components of the Harapan coalition must be magnanimous and think of the overall prime objective, that is to win the next election. The political scenario can only change in favour of those who have sacrificed for the greater good.

Only when victory is ours can we talk about reforms and sharing power fairly.

Proarte: I beg to disagree. If DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang can oust the (former) Johor MB at Gelang Patah in 2013, surely another political giant like Mahathir should be able to rout his rivals in any constituency.

Running scared to a 'safe' seat is actually strategically wrong. It would give the impression that Pakatan Harapan has lukewarm support amongst the Malays.

Mahathir can win resoundingly in a Malay-majority area like Langkawi or Kubang Pasu, and as 'captain', he has to take on 'difficult' seats.

Mahathir did a great deal throughout his political career to uplift the Malays. Electing Mahathir gives the Malays an opportunity to show they do not 'mudah lupa' (forget easily).

FellowMalaysian: I believe Mahathir will go for the jugular rather than to stand in a safe seat. Bandar Tun Razak is not necessarily a safe seat, as the 37% Chinese and 9% Indians had voted for MCA's Tan Chai Ho in 2004.

Depending on his moves in the coming two months, I dare say that Mahathir may be impassioned enough to place his stake in Putrajaya.

There is no better seat for him to conquer than to take Putrajaya itself, and standing in the federal capital will instantly declare his seriousness in wanting to change the present regime.

It will be a fight of the century no doubt, with BN's guns and machinery all heading to Putrajaya, and in any case, the incumbent Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor is not known to be infallible, either.

Anonymous #19098644: Indeed, Mahathir must stand in a solidly Malay seat as captain of the ship. If he hides like the MCA leaders do in safe seats, he doesn't deserve to be the captain.

If it is in Federal Territories, then he must contest Titiwangsa, or not at all.

‘Dr M will mark the US, but be practical with China’

FutureMalaysians: I would like to suggest to Dr M not to adopt much of your previous policies against any foreign country, US and China included, but instead adopt a friendly and open policy subject to suitability, appropriateness and timeliness to our context.

In other words, we need to review the policies of his time.

Cogito Ergo Sum: Mahathir is a pragmatic politician. Geopolitics may not be his area of specialisation, but fair international trade business considerations have been the bedrock of his time as minister of trade.

He will be smart when dealing with both US and China, and his pride will never allow him to sell off Malaysia’s assets or dignity at the drop of the hat.

Mano: The article says, "Malaysia used to be a well-respected leader of the Third World.”

We used to be, but not anymore, thanks to...?

Anonymous_4031c: Malaysia is at a crossroad. Turbulent times are ahead, but everyone knows what needs to be done for the betterment of the country, and you won’t see improvement unless you bite the bullet. From here on until the election, the minds of the rakyat have been made up.

Those who see the need for a holistic change will vote accordingly. Those whose only existence is because of the handouts and/or to maintain the status quo, have also made up their minds and will not be shaken.

At the end of the day, be a responsible Malaysian and make your vote count. If you think there is hope that the education system, the economy, good governance and transparency would improve under the current administration, then vote for continuity.

If you have doubts, do what you must for the future of our children and the country.

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