'Don't use Islam as tool to win election', Dr M slams Muhyiddin

SUNGAI PETANI - Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad slams Perikatan Nasional (PN) for using racial cards to garner votes for the 15th General Election (GE15).

The Parti Pejuang Tanah Air (Pejuang) chairman claimed PN chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had used religion as a tool to win the election.

"We have to respect Islam. Don't use it as a tool to win the election.

"All of a sudden, Perikatan Nasional became very holy and well-versed with Islam," he said at the Rapat Umum Sayang Bangsa and Negara programme.

Dr Mahathir had also sarcastically said that PN might have become an expert in reciting prayers for GE15 after their political cooperation with Pas, hence why the racial tactic was used in the election.

"Pas says kafir (unbeliever), PN also says I am kafir," he laughed jokingly.

Meanwhile, when asked about Pejuang candidates who were inexperienced in politics, Dr Mahathir said that they would be trained and guided.

"Pejuang has no money like other parties. Our candidates are inexperienced in politics but we will guide them.

"So far, from what I see, they are responding well", the former Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman said

Dr Mahathir, who had won the ticket to prime ministership under Umno in the past, said the BN coalition used to be very strong and did not need any alliance with other political parties.

"We stood a good chance to win in every election, we won 2/3 of the seats and there was no necessity to work with other political parties or form a coalition.

"But now, because of Najib, Umno has been split into many parties and they are finding partners to win the election by forming coalitions," he added.

The former premier said Pejuang would work with any partners in the future, should they win the GE15 but never with PN, BN or Pakatan Harapan (PH).

"There are some parties in Sabah and Sarawak, some in Peninsular Malaysia and even independents that we can work with if they conform to our standards," he mentioned.