SHAH ALAM - The appointment of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad as an unofficial advisor to the four state governments administered by Perikatan Nasional (PN) or state-government four (SG4) has raised 1,001 questions.
This is because many believe that the aura and influence of the former 4th and 7th Prime Minister are no longer relevant in the political arena, especially after he failed to retain his Langkawi Parliamentary seat in the 15th General Election (GE15).
The situation deteriorated when the coalition of Gerakan Tanah Air (GTA) and Parti Pejuang Tanah Air (Pejuang), led by Dr Mahathir, not only lost but also lost their deposit in all 121 parliamentary seats they contested in GE15.
Similarly, the "Malay Proclamation” movement inspired by Dr Mahathir also appeared to lack support from the Malay community, as it seemed to have lost momentum.
However, Kelantan Deputy Menteri Besar Datuk Mohamed Fadzli Hassan believes that even though Dr Mahathir is not a member of any political party, he still holds influence and has good relations with various foreign investors that can be utilised by the four states administered by Pas.
According to him, the decision of Pas and PN to appoint Dr Mahathir as an advisor to SG4 is right because he has extensive experience in state administration, having served as Prime Minister twice.
"What's wrong with appointing Dr Mahathir as an advisor to SG4? He is an experienced figure, a former Prime Minister twice, and has made significant contributions to the Malaysian people.
"With his extensive experience and good relations with foreign countries and investors, I believe this cooperation can help improve the socio-economic development of the people in the four SG4 states.
"We will not only collaborate with Dr Mahathir but with anyone, as long as it benefits the people and the SG4 state governments," he told Sinar when contacted.
Mohamed Fadzli said this in response to a statement by Terengganu Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, confirming that Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu, and Perlis have agreed in principle to appoint Dr Mahathir as an unofficial advisor for administrative and foreign investment matters.
Political analyst from Universiti Malaya Dr Muhammad Shamsinor Abdul Azzis believes this decision is a wise step further to boost economic growth and infrastructure development in these states.
More organised
He said that the establishment of SG4 can have a positive impact as it ensures that the four Pas-administered state governments can enhance their cooperation in a more organised manner, similar to the development corridors inspired by the former 5th Prime Minister, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
"Pas initiative appointed Dr Mahathir as SG4's unofficial adviser also not because they want to distance themselves from the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) president, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
"The allegation of wanting to distance himself from Muhyiddin also did not arise because they do so because they want to use the influence and experience of Dr Mahathir to develop SG4 member states.
"Besides, I don't see this result as if Pas wants to be 'big brother' in PN, on the contrary I believe the proposal Dr Mahathir's appointment also added value to Bersatu itself," he said.
Meanwhile, the Malay Proclamation secretariat chairman, Datuk Seri Khairuddin Abu Hassan, emphasised that Dr Mahathir is enthusiastic and ready to assist the leadership of Pas in Terengganu, Kelantan, Kedah, and Perlis in driving the economic development of these states to compete with other advanced states in Malaysia.
"With the experience of developing Malaysia, God willing, Dr Mahathir honestly and sincerely will continue to help these states to leap gloriously in economic development.
"This is also an approach towards proving that four states can be involved better than other developed states in the country," he explained.