Barisan Nasional (BN) will be able to wrest back Kedah if there is no infighting among the leaders, especially in Umno, says former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

“But the problem is, when someone is moving up, another person who is not, will try to bring him down. Then when it’s the latter’s turn to move up, yet another will try to do the same.”

He cautioned that BN would not be able to win the general election in Kedah if the leaders did not do away with the culture of “cantas mencantas” (toppling one another).

The former premier was speaking to reporters after officiating at the Giatmara Silver Jubilee (1986-2011) celebration at Giatmara Prima Kubang Pasu, here, today.

He was asked about BN’s chances of regaining Kedah following the appointment of Datuk Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah as the state Umno liaison chief and Jerlun Member of Parliament Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir as the deputy chief.

Asked whether he had a hand in his son’s appointment to the post, Dr Mahathir said he was not involved at all with the decision-making process.

He said he has never interfered with Mukhriz’s political career from the start and any decision involving the latter was made by the prime minister and other top Umno leaders.

“Even when I was prime minister, I forbade my sons from being involved in politics as people would talk, and now that I am no longer prime minister, I have also not interfered,” he added. – Bernama