Malaysia’s Mahathir, 97, to run in general elections

By EILEEN NG
Associated Press

PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia (AP) — Malaysia’s 97-year-old former leader Mahathir Mohamad says he will defend his seat in the general elections expected next month. He warned Tuesday that a win by the ruling Malay party could see imprisoned ex-Prime Minister Najib Razak pardoned and let off the hook. Despite his age and a health scare this year, Mahathir said he will defend his parliamentary seat in Langkawi island. However, he remained coy about whether he would be prime minister a third time if his Malay alliance wins. The Election Commission will meet Oct. 20 to fix a date for the vote after Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob called snap polls following pressure from his United Malays National Organization, which is hoping for a big win on its own amid feuds with allies in the government.