IN APPRECIATION: Dr Mahathir (second left) and Dr Siti Hasmah receiving applause after launching the scholarship. — Bernama photo
KUALA LUMPUR: Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the basis of the democracatic system includes the willingness to accept defeat, not only victory.
Referring to the military coup in Egypt and widespread protests, he said this should not have happened to a government elected through a democratic system like in Egypt.
“A democratic government is elected via elections and there are winners and losers. If the losers refuse to accept defeat and try to topple the government elected by majority of the people via protests, then there is no democracy,” he told reporters after launching the Tun Dr Mahathir-Cheras Education Foundation (YPC) Scholarship in conjunction with the 9th convocation of Kolej Teknologi YPC-iTweb here yesterday.
Stressing that the same values should be adopted in this country, Dr Mahathir disputed the opposition allegation that the election system is not transparent.
“In a country that cheats, the ruling party wins 99 per cent but this does not happen in Malaysia. In every general election, the opposition will still win seats. You don’t cheat by losing five states,” he said referring to the results of 12th general election (GE12) in 2008.
“The Barisan Nasional (BN) accepted defeat (seats) but the opposition does not want to accept defeat. They only want to recognise the results when they win (seats).
“They don’t understand democracy. When defeated, wait until the next general election,” he said at the ceremony also attended by his wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali and Kolej Teknologi YPC-iTweb chairman Datuk Seri Syed Ali Alhabshee.
Asked about suitable BN candidates for Kuala Besut by-election on July 24, Dr Mahathir said BN should choose a person accepted by the local community.
Meanwhile, Syed Ali said the scholarship will be awarded to 300 students from low income families annually to attend basic courses (foundation) at Kolej Teknologi YPC-iTweb in Cheras.
At yesterday’s convocation ceremony, some 338 students received diplomas and degrees in various fields of study. — Bernama