Mahathir strikes in campaign

Mahathir strikes in campaign

PERMATANG PAUH, Malaysia (AP): Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad
on Saturday took his campaign into the home district of his
greatest political foe, Anwar Ibrahim, at the tail end of
electioneering, which the opposition has denounced as the
dirtiest ever.

In a speech to voters two days before Monday's crucial general
election, Mahathir described Anwar as a former friend and
protege.

"But unfortunately for him and for me, I discovered he had
such horrible morals," said the 73-year-old leader, who sacked
Anwar last September. "Anyone who is so depraved cannot become
prime minister," he told a gathering of 2,000 supporters of the
governing National Front.

The ousted deputy prime minister's wife, Azizah Ismail, is
contesting in Permatang Pauh, a rural, Malay-dominated district
which Anwar had represented for 16 years.

Azizah, who heads the National Justice Party, is facing
Ibrahim Saad, her husband's former political secretary, in a
battle which is symbolic for both sides.