PM: Malaysia came close to being ‘destroyed’
Tuesday, 25 Sep 2018
Date with PM: Dr Mahathir and his wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali posing with members of the United Kingdom Bunga Raya Club and Malaysian students in London. — Bernama
LONDON: Pakatan Harapan will focus on restoring Malaysia’s administration machinery and improving its fiscal position, says Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
In a dialogue session with almost 200 Malaysians based here, the Prime Minister said on Sunday that the damage to the country’s financial and administration machinery by the previous government could “destroy” Malaysia had it won the 14th General Election.
“We will be a land colonised by others. We will lose power in our own country,” Dr Mahathir said.
“The people supported Pakatan and toppled the Barisan Nasional government as it did not focus on the country’s wellbeing and development.
Dr Mahathir said the country’s administration was also badly damaged.
Corruption, he said, permeated from the highest to the lowest levels.
He said the administration machinery had sided with Barisan and even campaigned directly and openly assisted it even though it should have stayed neutral.
“Their loyalty was not only to the government but also to the ruling party,” he pointed out.
On restoring the financial position of the country, Dr Mahathir said this was important although it might result in the government having to sell assets to pay its debts.
“We have also lost borrowed money; we do not know where it has gone to.
“So, we do not have the money to settle debts,” he said.
Dr Mahathir said the budget was usually in deficit as revenue was not sufficient to cover the debts.
On scholarship awards, Dr Mahathir hoped that the students would be able to complete their studies much sooner, citing former prime minister Tun Abdul Razak’s feat in completing his studies in two years as compared to the usual three.
“If we can reduce the time, we can then go home and serve,” he said to applause from the audience.
On the proposed third national car project raised at the meeting, Dr Mahathir said it would be an opportunity for the country to be involved in engineering.
Through the manufacturing of cars, the Prime Minister said, the country would be able to master engineering which would bring great benefits.
“It is not just about the car but engineering possibilities. The car can lead to the stimulation of other economic areas,” he said.
Dr Mahathir also rejected the notion that Proton was a failure, saying it was once under good management and able to accumulate RM4bil in reserves.
The session was organised by the United Kingdom Bunga Raya Club, which was set up in 2016 in support of Dr Mahathir’s Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia.
Besides club members, other Malaysian students in Britain were also present at the dialogue. — Bernama
Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/09/25/pm-malaysia-came-close-to-being-destroyed/#5WW5K1JKCDfEHgxM.99
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