THE STAR – The 15th General Election (GE15) might be the last general election for 97-year-old Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and the former premier intends to settle “unfinished work” this time around.
“Well, it should be my last election. I don’t want to contest this time, but since they had the elections early and I didn’t finish my term before I was made PM. So, I hope I can finish my job,” said Dr Mahathir.
He said this when speaking to reporters after submitting his candidacy for the GE15 at the Langkawi Land and District Office yesterday.
Dr Mahathir also responded to calls for the former premier to retire from politics, saying that he was still healthy despite being a nonagenarian.
“I’m 97 and still standing around and talking to you. I think I’m making reasonable answers. I’m not as old as my age. I am fortunate that I’m able to function just as well as younger people,” said Dr Mahathir, who will be defending Langkawi in GE15.
Dr Mahathir said the Gerakan Tanah Air (GTA) movement led by Pejuang intends to work with only clean parties with a common goal of leading the country. However, Dr Mahathir said GTA hadn’t had a candidate for prime minister yet.
“Our view is that if we have sufficient numbers and can form the government, then at that stage, we will decide who should be the prime minister,” added Dr Mahathir.
Dr Mahathir won the Langkawi seat with a 8,893 majority against Barisan Nasional (BN) in GE14. In GE15, Dr Mahathir is up in a five-cornered fight against BN, Pakatan Harapan, Perikatan Nasional and an independent candidate.
