Mahathir Mohamad Urges Malaysians: “The Next Election is a Clean‑Up Mission”
Former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad made a bold declaration on Sunday, warning that the upcoming general election in Malaysia is the last chance to rid the country of corruption.
What Mahathir Said
During a news conference that doubled as the launch of his new memoir, Capturing Hope: The Struggle Continues for a New Malaysia, Mahathir called out the current government—led by his old ally UMNO—for its alleged corruption.
“I still feel the need to bring down this government because this government is a corrupt government. It did not come into power through elections,” he told the crowd.
Despite Malaysia’s next national poll being scheduled for 2023, the 96‑year‑old political veteran expects it to happen as early as mid‑next year.
Why UMNO Backs on the Quay
- Six decades of rule ended in 2018 when the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition, led by Mahathir, snapped them for the first time.
- In March 2020, the coalition collapsed after a wave of defections, bringing UMNO back into the ruling Perikatan Nasional alliance.
- UMNO’s vice‑president Ismail Sabri Yaakob took the reins as prime minister in August, replacing Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
- Mahathir warned: If the next election yields a corrupt cabinet, he thinks it will doom the fight against graft. “Corrupt governments will use corruption to stay in power,” he said.
Propelling a Clean Slate
Mahathir emphasized that this election is a milestone: “If you don’t clean up now, you’re doomed to a bad government forever,” he cautioned.
He laid out the story in his book: from the historic 2018 win, the challenges of governance, to the 2020 collapse precipitated by the withdrawal of Bersatu from PH.
The narrative explains why he resigned as prime minister in February 2020, despite being offered a “unity government” pact that ultimately flopped.
Worry About Najib’s Return
- Mahathir struggles on: should Malaysians “fatigue” from politics, Najib Razak could re-emerge as a force.
- Although convicted of 1MDB‑related bribery, Najib remains in Parliament while awaiting appeal outcomes.
- He can still speak publicly, campaigned freely, and even travel abroad—yet he’s barred from contesting elections until his conviction is overturned or a royal pardon is granted.
In his memoir, Mahathir dismisses claims that the $700 million in Najib’s bank was a “donation” from Saudi donors. He argues that such a sum could never be a legitimate gift from an individual.
Wrap‑Up
Mahathir’s press conference left the message crystal clear: Act or be condemned. The political landscape in Malaysia is at a tipping point, and every vote counts. If the electorate turns away from corruption, the next election could transform democracy—one that’s ready for a fresh start.
