PHATTHALUNG: Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, better known as Wan Nor, leader of the Prachachart Party, has said he - inspired by the success of Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad - is ready for the prime minister's post although his party only hopes to win 20 seats in the House of Representatives in the next general election.
Mr Wan Nor, 74, was speaking at a hotel in Muang district on Sunday as his party unveiled its candidates to run for the House of Representatives in the three constituencies of Phatthalung.
He was a former president of Parliament and leader of the Wadah faction of southern Muslim MPs in the New Aspiration Party, which was later dissolved and merged with Thai Rak Thai, predecessor of the Pheu Thai Party. Prachachat is, therefore, perceived to be allied to the Pheu Thai Party.
Citing his political experience in holding several key ministerial posts in past governments as well as his record of honesty and good governance, Mr Wan Nor said he is ready to take the post of prime minister although his Prachachart Party does not expect to win more than 20 House seats in the next election.
"It is not just a dream to become prime minister. Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad made history by becoming the world's oldest prime minister although his party commands only 14 seats in Parliament," Mr Wan Nor said.
Mr Mahathir formed his own party, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Malaysian United Indigenous Party), in 2016. In 2018, he became chairman of the Pakatan Harapan coalition that won the 2018 general election. At 93, Mahathir was sworn in as prime minister on 10 May 2018.
Speaking to about 800 party supporters, Mr Wan Nor said that while he was transport minister (in the government of late former prime minister Banharn Silpa-archa) he had played an important role in the construction of the Suvarnabhumi airport, which has brought growth and prosperity to the country. For the people of Phatthalung, he claimed a key role in the construction of the Chalerm Phra Kiat bridge, linking Phatthalung's Khuan Khanun and Songkhla's Ranot districts.
Mr Wan Nor said the Prachachart Party is against terrorism and opposed to all forms of violence against the people as well as military coups, which are not a way of attaining true happiness. The country's true happiness is based on the people's happiness, he added.
"An undemocratic country stands to encounter various problems, especially poverty. Is it now time for the country to change the same way as done in Myanmar, where dictatorship has been finally defeated? " he said.
