GE14 | Bersatu’s Langkawi candidate Dr Mahathir Mohamad has come up with a unique way to begin his election campaign - by promising the constituents absolutely nothing.

This is because he believes that his record of developing the sleepy hollow into a popular tourist destination during his 22 years as prime minister is enough to put him in good stead.

“Langkawi and I have never been apart. I have known Langkawi back when before it was developed into a tourist spot.

“Today, I will not make promises because many promises have been made by my friends.

“I believe the people of Langkawi know what is good for Langkawi although they have not been promised anything.

“I will be able to do (what they want) if I win and become the prime minister,” he said as he addressed a crowd of Chinese and Indian voters at a hotel on the island today.

Mahathir is opposition coalition Pakatan Harapan’s prime minister-designate.

Unlike most candidates, he said he had no need to thump his own chest because Langkawi voters are more than familiar with his contributions to the area.

“When I was prime minister I did not promise to make the island a duty-free zone. Did anyone hear me say that?

“But when I had the power to develop Langkawi and give value to the residents of Langkawi, I made it a duty-free zone.

“The Langkawi people know what I have done here, there is no need for me to repeat my track record here. Come May 9, I am confident that Langkawi voters will come out in droves to vote,” he added.

Back in 1987, Mahathir had declared the island a duty-free zone and set up the Langkawi Development Authority (Lada) to economically transform the island.

The nonagenarian is slated to face BN-Umno’s Nawawi Ahmad and PAS’ Zubir Ahmad in a three-cornered fight.