Kuching: Parti Rakyat Sarawak president Tan Sri Dr James Masing called Dr Mahathir a hypocrite. Masing said Dr Mahathir could not have it both ways by attending the rally while denying his support for Bersih 2.0, the organiser of the rally. The Sarawak land development minister said the migrant problem in Sabah started during Dr Mahathir's tenure, calling the longest-serving prime minister the culprit."The electoral roll, especially in Sabah, needs a lot of cleaning in order to allow for genuine Malaysian citizens to vote for the government of their choice. "Dr Mahathir is the main culprit who tainted the Sabah electoral roll. Ask him to clean it," Masing was quoted as saying in the report.
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On Saturday and Sunday, Dr Mahathir, who is now Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's biggest critic, caused a stir when he and his wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali showed up at the rally, which Putrajaya had declared illegal. Dr Mahathir told reporters in Kuala Lumpur that he went to Bersih 4 to show solidarity but was not a supporter of Bersih 2.0."Nothing of the sort. We are here because all of us, whether Malay, Indian, Chinese, Iban or Kadazan, we cannot accept the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib (Razak)," Dr Mahathir was quoted as saying to reporters.He has since been slammed by several Umno leaders and ministers.
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Masing said the Bersih 4 organiser in Kuching was "wise" to call off the planned activities Sunday, causing the gathering to wrap up early at noon. He also accused DAP of trying to "hijack" the civil rights gathering, which was the only Bersih 4 event in the country endorsed by the local authority and police.There had been contradicting reports on why the event ended abruptly.
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Members of the organising committee reportedly gave different reasons like the lack of a public announcement systems or the presence of children, which was not allowed, for the cancellation. Others said it was due to DAP's impromptu "ceramah" on Saturday night, which lead to the party issuing a statement which was quickly retracted.Meanwhile, Dr Mahathir should not be allowed to participate in the upcoming Umno general assembly as he is seen to have gone astray from his "crusade" by conjoining with the Opposition, says Sungai Besar Umno division chief Datuk Jamal Md Yunos.Agreeing with a statement made by Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman, Jamal says that the move was necessary to avoid negative and harmful perceptions among party members toward Umno."Mahathir's appearance at the illegal Bersih 4 rally is seen improper and not in line with his previous stands."Previously, he was a person who opposed illegal assemblies and street demonstrations especially during the Reformasi in 1998," he said in a statement.He added that in attending the rally and making an appearance twice during the demonstrations, Dr Mahatihir had in turn lost the respect of those who formerly idolised and looked up to him and evidently ruined his credibility as the former leader of the nation.Speaking in regards to the Bersih 4.0 demonstrations that took place in the capital over the weekend, Jamal says that the efforts of the organizers as well as the protesters were fruitless and the rally ultimately failed in its objectives. "Only around 20,000 people joined in the illegal protest."Efforts in orchestrating and organizing countless strategies over months and estimating that 100,000 people would show up was just a waste of time, without meaning and merely propaganda," he said.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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