Mahathir Returns as PM9 via Mageran?

FMT:

Puad pours cold water on Dr M’s Mageran proposal

Umno Supreme Council member Puad Zarkashi tells Dr Mahathir Mohamad there is no need for a Majlis Gerakan Negara.

PETALING JAYA: Umno Supreme Council member Puad Zarkashi has poured cold water on former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s proposal to set up a Majlis Gerakan Negara (Mageran) to temporarily govern the country – and with him at the helm.

“Tun is strange. He opposes the emergency, he opposes the suspension of Parliament, but he proposed Mageran. The rakyat is still against Mageran and the emergency,” said Puad in a post on his Facebook page.

“And then he offered himself to serve, as Mageran director. If he becomes the director, I’m sure it will be hard to end Mageran.

“Good thing he is not the prime minister. There is no reason for the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to follow his advice.”

At a press conference yesterday, Mahathir, who is also Pejuang’s pro tem chairman, said he had proposed to Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah during his audience with the King that a National Operations Council, or Mageran, be established like in 1969.

He said Mageran had managed to solve a lot of economic and political issues that the rakyat and the government faced in 1969 after the racial riots. Asked who should lead Mageran, Mahathir said he had offered his services “if the government wants”.

Puad claimed that if Mahathir were to head Mageran, he would abuse the position and there would be selective prosecution.

He also alleged that institutions such as the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) would be used to pressure Mahathir’s political opponents.

“It’s enough, Tun. You’ve already had your second chance and there was a lot of damage,” said Puad.

“(I’m) afraid a lot more of the country’s assets will be sold, (former MACC chief) Latheefa Koya and (former attorney-general) Tommy Thomas will return. Mukhriz (Mahathir) will have a bright future.”