
At 100, Dr Mahathir says advisory role in PN better than PM
Dr Mahathir said his age no longer allowed him to take on front-line leadership, but his decades of experience in politics could still serve the nation.
"I'm old now… a hundred years old. I can't give fiery speeches like I used to. I'm not here to take the place of the younger generation.
"I'm not looking to become prime minister again. But I do want to offer advice.
"I've been prime minister for 24 years and involved in politics for over 80 years," he told a crowd at the Himpunan Mandat Negarawanrally at Stadium Suka Menanti yesterday.
Also present were Pas president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang, PN chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, PN deputy chairman Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, and Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor.
Dr Mahathir said Malaysia was a resource-rich country and that poverty should not exist if national assets were managed prudently.
"This country is rich. Everyone should be wealthy. But if we don't know how to make full use of the assets we have, we will never progress," he said.
He added that a PN-led administration would make eradicating poverty a top priority, claiming the current government had failed to do so.
"As a government, our focus must be on resolving poverty. PN can do it. We can reduce poverty. That's our hope, that's the purpose of our gathering tonight."
Dr Mahathir said that, should PN take over Putrajaya, its leadership would be one that listened to advice.
"If there is a change in government, we will have a prime minister who is willing to listen to advice. I believe, if that happens, many issues can be resolved," he said.
The rally was described by PN leaders as a curtain-raiser for a larger gathering scheduled to take place in Kuala Lumpur on July 26, aimed at pressuring Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to step down.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Express
an hour ago
- Daily Express
Sejahtera Madani initiative launched, nearly RM120m raised to end poverty
Published on: Thursday, July 24, 2025 Published on: Thu, Jul 24, 2025 By: Bernama Text Size: Pic by Bernama PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysia Madani People's Wellbeing Initiative (Sejahtera Madani), launched today to end poverty, has successfully raised nearly RM120 million, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim ( pic ) announced. Speaking at the launch, Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said the initiative had received overwhelming support from the private sector, surpassing its initial fundraising target of RM50 million. 'I said if Sejahtera Madani could raise RM50 million, that would already be a success, and the government could top it up a bit, but today the response has not just doubled, it's gone far beyond that. 'The initiative has now raised nearly RM120 million. This is a meaningful project, and we want to drive this nation to become strong and great,' he said. Present at the event were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Minister of Housing and Local Government Nga Kor Ming, Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar. Anwar also reiterated his Madani Government's commitment to ending hardcore poverty in Malaysia through coordinated efforts and strategic approaches. 'My target, together with the Cabinet, is to end hardcore poverty. Based on data from 2023 to 2024, we've made significant progress. Even though new cases may emerge, the overall numbers are far lower than before,' he said. The Prime Minister also praised the commitment of all stakeholders, particularly the private sector and Islamic religious councils, for working alongside the government to tackle one of the country's most persistent issues. Sejahtera Madani is a national initiative aimed at assisting poor and hardcore poor households registered under the National Poverty Database or the eKasih system. Coordinated by the Implementation Coordination Unit of the Prime Minister's Department (ICU JPM), the initiative consolidates various aid interventions across ministries, agencies, and private entities for a focused and integrated poverty eradication strategy. In a statement issued at the launch, ICU JPM described Sejahtera Madani as being anchored on a "whole-of-nation approach," enhanced with high-impact and sustainable programs targeting both heads of households and household members under the eKasih system. The initiative focuses on four key areas, namely income generation, education, housing, and social welfare. The government is targeting RM100 million in corporate social responsibility (CSR) contributions for Sejahtera Madani, all of which will be channelled to the People's Wellbeing Fund managed by ICU JPM. 'All CSR contributions under this initiative qualify for income tax deductions under Subsection 44(6) of the Income Tax Act 1967,' the statement read. As of July 15, a total of 306,403 heads of households are registered in the eKasih database nationwide, comprising 1,017 classified as hardcore poor and 305,386 as poor. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia


The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Asian leaders call for calm over deadly Cambodia-Thailand border clashes
Smoke billowing from the roof of a convenience store attached to a petrol station in Sisaket province in Thailand after it was hit by a rocket strike from Cambodia. -- PHOTO: AFP SOUTH-EAST ASIA: Thailand launched air strikes on Cambodian military targets on July 24 as Cambodia fired rockets and artillery, killing at least 11 civilians, in a dramatic escalation of a long-running border row between the two neighbours. The developments have caused concern among countries in Asia, with leaders urging calm and swift de-escalation. Here are the reactions. Malaysia Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has sent messages to the prime ministers of Cambodia and Thailand, hoping to speak with them personally on July 24, reported the New Straits Times. Malaysia currently holds the chairmanship of Asean. 'The situation is worrying. They are key members of Asean and close neighbours to Malaysia… At the very least, we hope they will de-escalate tensions and return to the negotiating table,' he said. 'Efforts have been made, but I still firmly believe that peace is the only option.' Philippines The Department of Foreign Affairs remained hopeful that Cambodia and Thailand could resolve the issue in accordance with international law and the peaceful settlement of disputes. 'We urge both parties to extend due consideration and care to innocent civilians who may be affected by the ongoing conflict,' it said. 'The Philippines does not take any position on this dispute but underscores the importance of maintaining open lines of communication and ensuring the de-escalation of the situation.' Manila said it is continually monitoring the situation and remains ready to extend all possible assistance to Filipinos living in these two countries if necessary. To date, no Filipino nationals have been reported to be affected by the conflict, it added. China Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said China is deeply concerned over the current developments and hopes both sides can properly resolve issues through dialogue and consultations. 'Good neighbourliness and properly handling differences are in line with the fundamental and long-term interests of both sides,' he said. Guo said China would adopt a 'fair and impartial position' in the clashes. Beijing 'has and will continue to in its own way do its best to promote peace and dialogue, and play a constructive role in promoting the easing and cooling down of the situation', he added. Japan Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya said Japan has been working to encourage both Cambodia and Thailand to de-escalate the situation. 'A sound relationship between Cambodia and Thailand is extremely important for peace and stability in the region,' he said. 'Japan urges both Cambodia and Thailand to exercise maximum restraint and strongly hopes that the tension between the two countries will be eased peacefully through dialogue.' Unicef The United Nations Children's Fund's regional director for East Asia and the Pacific, Ms June Kunugi, called on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and protect children. 'Children must be protected at all times and their safety and well-being must be prioritised while schools must remain safe spaces for learning,' she said. - Agencies/The Straits Times-Asia News Network


Malaysiakini
3 hours ago
- Malaysiakini
Beng Hock group cites Confucian saying, sits out 'Turun Anwar' rally
The family of Teoh Beng Hock will not be attending this Saturday's 'Himpunan Turun Anwar' protest in Kuala Lumpur, despite having recently been openly critical of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's Madani government. When contacted, Beng Hock's sister, Teoh Lee Lan, confirmed that she would not be attending the rally organised by PAS and Perikatan Nasional. Ng Yap Hwa, chairperson of Teoh Beng Hock Association for Democratic Advancement (TBH-ADA), cited a saying from the Confucian Analects...