Dr Mahathir: Impossible for BN to win back the 5 states - The Sun

By Regina William

PENANG (March 30, 2008): It will be impossible for Barisan Nasional (BN) to wrest back the five states which it lost to the opposition in the general election, says former prime minister Tun Mahathir Mohamad.

Mahathir said those who voted for the opposition were no longer interested in the BN and would not return to the party.

"If the opposition governments succeed in governing these states well, even the Malays will be attracted and turn their backs on the BN.

"Even Umno members during this elections secretly voted for the opposition, not because they loved the opposition but for the love of the party (Umno).

"They wanted to send a warning to the party leadership but unfortunately the leadership is still in a slumber and in denial about the losses.

"Not only has Umno been destroyed, but also MCA, MIC, Gerakan and even BN," Mahathir said in his speech when officiating at the Persatuan Melayu Tanjung (Permata) annual general meeting in a hotel here today.

The former prime minister was in his element, raising laughter among those present though his speech was laced with hard hitting comments on the present government leadership.

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