“I made this plan a while back, but I want to state my support for Bersih,” the former prime minister said in an interview with activist Hishammuddin Rais, which was broadcast online.
The elderly statesman, who has emerged as Prime Minister Najib Razak’s fiercest critic, went on to state that it was important for every opposition party, including newly-formed Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM), and the public to take part in the rally.
Without clean elections, Mahathir said, the polls would be meaningless.
“Those who are not supposed to be MPs or members of the government will be elected and this will be disastrous for the country.”
Malaysia’s longest-serving PM also felt that recent reports about Bersih 2.0 being funded by billionaire George Soros’ Open Society Foundations was an attempt to paint the electoral reform group in a negative light.
“It was an accusation made without basis, in an attempt to make it seem as if Bersih is a tool of foreign powers.”
Recently, DC Leaks – a whistleblower site – revealed that OSF was funding several local organisations under its “Malaysia Program” to promote free and fair elections.
Bersih 2.0 chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah subsequently admitted it received a one-off payment of RM70,000 from OSF.
When asked to comment on the Red Shirts movement, Mahathir said it was clear they were government supporters and there was a perception that Putrajaya was backing the group, led by Sungai Besar Umno division chief Jamal Md Yunos.
“They are out to stop Bersih and create conflict so the government can respond violently towards Bersih,” he said, adding that if chaos erupted, it would also allow the government to utilise the controversial National Security Council Act, which could see people detained without trial.
Mahathir made two appearances at last year’s Bersih 4 rally, which stretched over three days, calling on the prime minister to resign.
The 91-year-old left Umno earlier this year, after his son Mukhriz was forced to step down from his position as Kedah menteri besar.
Mahathir has since gone on to start PPBM with his son and former deputy prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin.