PETALING JAYA: Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad should stop playing politics and concentrate on helping to curb the Covid-19 pandemic, says Negri Sembilan Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) chief Tan Sri Rais Yatim.

The former minister and Jelebu MP tweeted that Dr Mahathir was hitting out at his own party, and said that the latter should just make peace.

"It looks like Tun Mahathir is still at it pushing politics. His own party. He is hitting more in politics than assisting in containing the Covid-19 pandemic which have taken hundreds of Malaysian lives.

"Please Tun enough of it. Make peace. Practise the values Tun has taught us before," said Rais in his tweet on May 27.

Rais' tone seems to have changed towards his former party chairman. He supported Dr Mahathir's leadership prior to the latter's resignation as PM.

On Feb 29, one day before Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin became the eighth Prime Minister, Rais had said that he believed Dr Mahathir was wise.

He said with his combined 24 years of experience in administering the country, Dr Mahathir would know that his action would have consequences that would affect the running of the country.

“As (he is) a wise person, I believe he does not want to see this country be in chaos, as he has been prime minister for 24 years,” he told reporters then.

However, in March, Rais asked why Dr Mahathir was setting conditions before he would meet Muhyiddin.

Rais said Muhyiddin did not ask Dr Mahathir to cut ties with DAP in order for the two to meet.

Muhyiddin appeared to extend an olive branch to his predecessor who accused him of betrayal in the political crisis that engulf the country in February and led to the fall of the Pakatan Harapan government.

“Why assert the precondition that TS Muhyiddin must first shirk off Umno from Perikatan Nasional b4 the 4-eyed meeting? Muhyiddin doesn't press for DAP to be out of the PH b4 any talk? TSM you have done your part. Get out of the shadow. Do what u have to do," Rais tweeted then.
 

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/05/28/rais-tells-dr-m-to-quit-politicking