'I am not a magician, I am only human', says PM on people's expectations

PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is worried about the people's expectations of the government.

"I am really afraid of the people's hopes. They think I am able to do anything and be successful, but that's not it.

"I am like others too, sometimes, I make mistakes, choose the wrong people, so many things that can happen," he said during the Bicara Minda Sinar Harian forum which was moderated by former Media Prima chairman Tan Sri Johan Jaafar on Monday (Oct 22).

Dr Mahathir said he was using his previous experience and guidance to execute the things that he needed to.

"I am not a magician, I am only human. I try to solve problems through a thought process and sometimes the methods which I choose will not work but we can always fix it," he said.

During the forum, he also said that he was unfazed by those who had called him a "flip-flop" over changes in his position on several topics such as the removal of toll since Pakatan Harapan won the general election on May 9.

"I'm a flip-flop, it's true but we made those statements before we became the government. When we became the government, we found that the situation is different and what we thought can be done, could no longer be done," he said.

Dr Mahathir said it would be ridiculous if something that could not be done was still forced through.

"It will be better if we change our approach and become a flop," he said.

The prime minister was also asked about claims made by veteran newsman Datuk A. Kadir Jasin that Pakatan Harapan leaders, including Cabinet members, were sabotaging their own government due to ignorance, greed and lack of focus.

"Ignorance, greed, and lack of focus are better than the crooks and thieves becoming government. When we start something, our achievements may not be like what we thought," he said.