Global pressure mounts on Israel as Gaza death toll surges, war deepens    Egypt targets 7.7% AI contribution to GDP by 2030: Communications Minister    Irrigation Minister highlights Egypt's water challenges, innovation efforts at DAAD centenary celebration    Egypt discusses strengthening agricultural ties, investment opportunities with Indian delegation    Al-Sisi welcomes Spain's monarch in historic first visit, with Gaza, regional peace in focus    Cairo governor briefs PM on Khan el-Khalili, Rameses Square development    El Gouna Film Festival's 8th edition to coincide with UN's 80th anniversary    Egypt's gold prices fall on Wednesday    Egypt expands medical, humanitarian support for Gaza patients    Egypt condemns Israeli offensive in Gaza City, warns of grave regional consequences    Cairo University, Roche Diagnostics inaugurate automated lab at Qasr El-Ainy    Egypt investigates disappearance of ancient bracelet from Egyptian Museum in Tahrir    Egypt launches international architecture academy with UNESCO, European partners    Egypt signs MoUs with 3 European universities to advance architecture, urban studies    Egypt's Sisi, Qatar's Emir condemn Israeli strikes, call for Gaza ceasefire    Egypt condemns terrorist attack in northwest Pakistan    Egyptian pound ends week lower against US dollar – CBE    Egypt hosts G20 meeting for 1st time outside member states    Egypt to tighten waste rules, cut rice straw fees to curb pollution    Egypt seeks Indian expertise to boost pharmaceutical industry    Egypt prepares unified stance ahead of COP30 in Brazil    Egypt harvests 315,000 cubic metres of rainwater in Sinai as part of flash flood protection measures    Al-Sisi says any party thinking Egypt will neglect water rights is 'completely mistaken'    Egyptian, Ugandan Presidents open business forum to boost trade    Egypt's Sisi, Uganda's Museveni discuss boosting ties    Egypt's Sisi warns against unilateral Nile measures, reaffirms Egypt's water security stance    Greco-Roman rock-cut tombs unearthed in Egypt's Aswan    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Malaysia's Mahathir has change of heart, says country needs change
Alisha Hassan Published in Bikya Masr on 22 - 01 - 2013

KUALA LUMPUR: Ahead of elections in Malaysia, former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamed has spoken out against the ruling Barisan Nasional, kind of, saying that the party that has ruled the Southeast Asian country since independence has been in power too long and the country needs a change.
However, that change is not in the opposition, which he has repeatedly said would be “frightening” for the country if they won a general election.
His detractors claim that the prospect of Anwar Ibrahim, the one nemesis whom Mahathir has been unable to cast into the political wilderness, would be the future of the country.
The 87-year-old former premier hit the campaign trail over the weekend and took opportunities to demonize Ibrahim and the coalition that he leads.
In an interview with Mingguan Malaysia published over the weekend, Mahathir once again poured scorn on his former heir-apparent, reminding Malaysians of the perils that await them in voting for change.
“Many say that the Alliance-Barisan Nasional has been in power too long. I would agree. I believe in not overstaying one's welcome. But I am not so sure now whether this should apply in every circumstance.
“It is because the alternative to BN is frightening. It is led by a man who is obsessed with becoming prime minister, no matter how. I had wondered why he joined Umno instead of PAS. Now I know. He would do anything to become prime minister," he said.
“By joining Umno instead of PAS, which had never produced a prime minister, he could become prime minister simply by climbing the ladder of its leadership. And so immediately upon joining Umno he contested for the position of chief of Umno Youth. Then he went for the vice-presidency and then the deputy president's post. The next move was to overthrow the president and become the prime minister. It was all very simple.
“But the prime minister [Mahathir] did not seem to want to go. And so he began an underground campaign to demonize the prime minister. The rest, as they say, is history," he added, referring to the fallout between Anwar and him more than a decade ago.
Bikyanews.com

Clic here to read the story from its source.