Dr Mahathir confident BN will remain in power

KUALA LUMPUR: Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has expressed confidence that the Barisan Nasional government will remain in power after the upcoming general election.
The impending 13th general election, slated to be held this year, would be the most crucial political battle that Barisan has to face, he said.
The former premier also hoped that Barisan would win a two-thirds majority in Parliament so that the Government could implement its policies without resistance.
"Pakatan Rakyat is merely a coalition for the sake of the upcoming elections. If they are elected to govern, I am sure each party will then battle for its own ideology.
"That is definitely not good for Malaysia and will disrupt all efforts to build the economy, undertaken by the present government," he said at the 15th Malaysia Strategic Outlook Conference 2013 here Thursday.
Dr Mahathir said the infighting within the opposition group was the main reason for the return in confidence among Malaysian voters for the ruling coalition.
He also said the Barisan government, under the able leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, was knowledgeable on social and economic issues, which was very important for a developing nation.
He said the Government had drawn up ambitious development plans for the future of Malaysia, and it was the responsibility of Malaysians to give it a chance to prove the effectiveness of the plans.
"Change itself will be destructive and comes with uncertainties. Turmoil is not good for any country.
"A fresh government will also take a long time to adjust to its new role from the opposition to the government. This wasted period of time will jeopardise Malaysia's growth," he added.
Asked on the suitable time to dissolve Parliament to allow for the elections, Dr Mahathir said: "I think it should be after the Chinese New Year festive period."