Dr M, Muhyiddin not fit to be next PM, says Zahid

PETALING JAYA: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin are unfit to be prime ministers again, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

In a Facebook post Monday (Sept 26), the Barisan Nasional chairman and Umno president took potshots at the former prime ministers for criticising the handling of the economy by the current government, despite the fact that the ministers handling the economy now were in their Cabinets.

"The chairman of Parti Pejuang Tanah Air (Pejuang) and Gerakan Tanah Air (GTA) Dr Mahathir are on the same page with Perikatan Nasional and the National Recovery Council (NRC) chairman (Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin) in attacking the government of Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

"Both can be seen yearning to be prime ministers again even though they failed when they were given the opportunity.

"Perhaps they are desperate and fear their own shadows due to what they did to their political adversaries and worry that this may affect their interests.

"Furthermore, it will be difficult for Malaysia to believe in the ‘recycled’ promise of Dr Mahathir that he will be a prime minister for a short period after the 15th General Election," said Ahmad Zahid.

According to Ahmad Zahid, after the last election, Dr Mahathir had said he would only be prime minister for two years before handing over to an ally of his, but that did not happen.

The Bagan Datuk MP claimed that Barisan had to intervene and form a temporary government to “save” the country from chaos.

“Dr Mahathir should not attack by stating that there are no economic experts in the current government.

"Such allegations are akin to ‘cutting your nose’ to spite your face as the Cabinet member handling the portfolio on economy recovery was his former Cabinet member.

"The same names were with him during his 22-month tenure in the Pakatan Harapan government such as Muhyiddin, Datuk Seri Azmin Ali and Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed.

"Dr Mahathir as the failed seventh prime minister is not fit to be the prime minister along with the National Recovery Council chairman," said Ahmad Zahid.

Dr Mahathir had stated that he does not mind returning as the prime minister for the third time if he was forced to do so.

Muhyiddin has been touted as Perikatan's candidate if the coalition wins Putrajaya in the next election.