INTERVIEW | After more than two decades at the helm and 15 years following his resignation, Dr Mahathir Mohamad has his sights on the prime minister's post once again.

There is, however, one big difference. The 93-year-old politician, whom after decades of being with the ruling coalition, is now the opposition coalition Pakatan Harapan's prime minister-in-waiting.

In an interview with Malaysiakini last Friday, Mahathir acknowledged there is concern that caretaker prime minister Najib Abdul Razak might not facilitate a smooth transition of power if Harapan wins Wednesday's election.

"This is what we fear... He (Najib) is trying somehow or other to avoid being arrested. There is a rumour, and this is a rumour, I have heard it... that Umno will create trouble.

"They have thugs who will create trouble and there will be a state of emergency or a state of national security, then Parliament will not be called, and the rule of law will be suspended," he said.

Mahathir argued that Najib (photo) could take such drastic actions by invoking the National Security Council Act 2016, which the former premier claimed was worse than the Internal Security Act (ISA) he was accused of abusing to stifle dissent during his tenure.

"Under the new NSC he can arrest anybody without trial. And if the person dies, no inquest.

"This is the most terrible law. By comparison with the ISA, this is worse. And yet he was praised for getting rid of the ISA," he said in reference to Najib repealing the draconian law in 2012.

Mahathir also pointed out that the NSC, like more recent controversial laws such as the Anti-Fake News Act 2018, was passed by the Dewan Rakyat with minimal debate.

The NSC was enacted to provide for the establishment of the National Security Council, the declaration of security areas and special powers for the security forces, and other related matters.

At the time of its enactment, the government said the law was intended to strengthen the country’s ability to face increasing security threats, including violent extremism.

'Dictatorship unsustainable without military support'

Asked if Harapan had a plan to counter Najib's purported stranglehold of federal power, Mahathir recounted how former Philippines president, the late Ferdinand Marcos, had placed the country under martial law rule in 1972.

He said Marcos was supported by the Philippines' Armed Forces vice-chief Fidel Ramos and its defence secretary Juan Ponce Enrile, up until the dictator was implicated in the assassination of his longtime opponent Benigno Aquino Jr.

"So at this moment (in Malaysia), the head of police – I don’t think it is the whole police force – and also the head of the armed forces, they are still supporting him (Najib).

"But when he breaks the law by misapplying this law (NSC) that he has enacted, I think they will not support him anymore," he said.

"When they do not support him, he will fall. He can only sustain a military government or an emergency government if he is supported by the police and the armed forces.

"But I think and I hope the police, and the country's most senior men, will not support this attempt to install a dictatorship in this country," he added.

Mahathir had previously expressed hope that members of the armed forces would vote in the May 9 polls freely and without "restraint" from any quarters.

He stated this in a letter dated April 30 addressed to the chiefs of the army, navy and air force.

Since then, Navy chief Ahmad Kamarulzaman Ahmad Badaruddin urged his personnel to vote wisely and not to let the “golden opportunity” go to waste.

He later denied that his statement, which raised eyebrows, was an endorsement for Mahathir and Harapan.

Inspector-general of police Mohamad Fuzi Harun also assured that police personnel have the right to cast their ballots for the party of their choice.

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