GE14 | Dr Mahathir Mohamad has dismissed caretaker deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's claim of a hospital plot in the making.

Zahid had claimed that as part of a surprise last-minute attack, Pakatan Harapan planned to admit its nonagenarian leader into a hospital to garner sympathy votes.

However, Mahathir said there is no need for him to pull such a stunt.

"I don't have to go to the hospital to gain sympathy votes... I can get support without going to the hospital," the Pakatan Harapan chairperson told a press conference in Dengkil this evening.

"Zahid can think what he likes, he is someone who had come to see me after he was made deputy prime minister and sought my help.

"Well, I was as old as I am now, and he didn't think I should gain support (then)," he added.

Mahathir also questioned the need for reporters to ask him a “silly question” about Zahid's allegation.

"Why? I don't know why? Why should I go to the hospital to gain sympathy votes?"' he added.

Read more: 'Plot detected' – Zahid claims Dr M to land in hospital for sympathy votes

Scuffle in Ayer Hitam

The Harapan chairperson appeared to be a bit defensive, however, when asked about the scuffle that broke out in Ayer Hitam yesterday which saw a BN-supporting senior citizen being pushed off a stage. 

"Maybe it was done because of my order, is that it? Are you as suggesting that I ordered (the supporter to resort to violence)?

"There are scuffles everywhere. Some of our people have also (been) pushed around. But, by and large this election has not seen much violence," he said. 

The incident occurred after the man in his 70s started pulling out PKR flags from a venue hosting a MCA event. A middle-aged man, believed to be a Harapan supporter, then pushed the senior citizen off the stage.  

Mahathir also accused the goverment of attempting to systemically sabotage the opposition's entire campaign. 

He said this began with the redelineation exercise, and is now manifesting as money being given out to buy votes. 

"They created all kind of ocassions where lucky numbers were offered, and rewards include houses, cars and motorcycles."