GE14 | Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who himself was accused of throttling democratic principles during his tenure as prime minister, has now accused Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak of killing democracy.

According to him, the current prime minister is not too fond of the system of democracy and is attempting to eliminate the opposition.

“I am worried because I know Najib will not tolerate any opposition, he does not like the system of democracy. Now we are seeing him trying to stop the opposition from contesting, particularly me.

“He is trying to get rid of me. If he dares, he will arrest me,” the Pakatan Harapan chairperson told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur this afternoon.

Mahathir, who is also the chairperson of Bersatu, was commenting on the Registrar of Societies (ROS) slapping his party with a provisional dissolution order yesterday.

He accused the ROS of attempting to prevent Bersatu and him from contesting in the general election.

“What we are seeing is a negation of democracy. This country decided to have a democratic system to give people the right to choose their government, to form political parties and to contest in elections.

“What ROS has done is against the understanding of the function of the Federal Constitution, ROS is trying to eliminate our party and me in particular from contesting in this election,” he added.

Mahathir said Bersatu would send a letter to Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi soon to appeal against the ROS' decision.

The party has 30 days to file an appeal and adhere to the ROS' request, failing which, its de-registration would become permanent.

Bersatu has also filed an application for a judicial review of the ROS' decision.

Meanwhile, Mahathir said Bersatu would continue with its plan to contest 52 parliamentary seats nationwide in GE14 because there was much at risk.

“Already we are halfway to becoming a dictatorship. That is why we feel it is our duty to explain to the people, even though we risk being arrested.

“We will explain to the people that Najib is killing democracy in this country.

“Should Najib win this election through his tricks and cheating, we can kiss goodbye to democracy in GE15, GE16, and GE17,” he warned.

Earlier today, Najib announced that Parliament would be dissolved tomorrow, after which the election must be held within 60 days.