(Penang, Wednesday): The Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamad should hold immediate general election if he is convinced that the crowd at his Hari Raya Open House at Seri Perdana yesterday means overwhelming support for the Barisan Nasional in the next general election.
An immediate general election is in fact the best way to address and resolve the unprecedented triple political, economic and moral crisis in the country and begin the process of restoration of public confidence and international credibility in the institutions of government in Malaysia.
Mahathir said yesterday that unlike his previous Hari Raya open
house, many came to express their support for him and the Barisan Nasional
government.
He said he had expected a little support but not the "overwhelming support" from the people from all walks of life, who appeared to be happy with the government's measures to revive the national economy.
Yesterday, when I visited Mahathir during his Hari Raya Open House, I settled the 10 sen wager which I lost to him on whether general election would be held last year.
I think I would have won the 10-sen wager if not for the political "earthquake" which ensued from the showdown between Mahathir and his third Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim when he sacked the latter from government on Sept. 2 and from UMNO on Sept. 3 last year as earlier, Tun Ghafar Baba, the chairman of the UMNO veterans committed specially established to defend and protect Mahathir’s position in UMNO, was advocating early general election in the best interests of Mahathir and UMNO.
(20/1/99)