Mahathir and politics: Till death do us part By Shakira Buang

Malaysiakini : Multiple heart attacks, bypass surgeries, a pacemaker and a heart-breaking defeat have not stopped Dr Mahathir Mohamad. The medical doctor-turned-politician, who specialised in the premature death of political careers, is plunging the scalpel into his arch nemesis Anwar Ibrahim again.

On Tuesday, the two-time former premier, who will celebrate his 98th birthday this year, made it clear that retirement is not on the agenda when he confirmed rejecting prominent economist Jomo Kwame Sundaram’s advice to step back from politics to become an elder statesperson.

Commenting on this, former law minister Zaid Ibrahim believes that Mahathir should not throw in the towel either.    “I don’t share the view (that he should retire). “He should not retire but instead continue with the one thing that keeps him alert and healthy - politics. I don’t agree with many of his views but I won't lose sleep if he continues,” he told Malaysiakini.

Zaid pointed out that the last general election proved that the former premier is no longer an influential figure.

Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim

Responding to those who accuse Mahathir of exacerbating the racial and religious divide, he said: “If his critics say he had been rejected, then how can his views be a force to drive anything?”   Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia’s Profesor Emeritus Wan Hashim Wan Teh recalled the time when Mahathir shared his mother’s advice that a person should “stop eating before feeling full” to remain healthy.

“From a political perspective, Mahathir is ‘very full’ and should stop,” he told Malaysiakini. Noting his achievements in the past, Wan Hashim, however, said: “Mahathir’s era has ended. It is appropriate for him to retire and rest.”

“Be a figure who is respected, a statesperson. Avoid disrupting the current political climate and allow the government to function as best as it can,” he added.

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