Former Malaysian PM Mahathir joins Bersih rally participants for the 2nd time

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Former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohammad near Pasar Seni LRT station in Kuala Lumpur on Aug 30, 2015. Tun Mahathir joined the participants of Bersih 4 at the station on Sunday. ST PHOTO: SHANNON TEOH
Former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad riding the train together with former Umno minister Zaid Ibrahim (behind Dr Mahathir) on the way to a Bersih rally on Aug 30, 2015. PHOTO: THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK

KUALA LUMPUR (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK/REUTERS) - Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has asked Bersih 4 participants not to get overly-excited as he heads to Dataran Merdeka.

When asked if he was headed to the historic square during an impromptu press conference near Central Market, the former Prime Minister said; "I will go with the others".

"But please don't push too much. Yesterday I tried to walk - and I appreciate people wanting to shake my hand - but if you push, I am an old man of 90, so you must treat me gently," he said with a smile.

Earlier, Dr Mahathir arrived at Bersih 4 rally, getting down near Central Market here at about 4.10pm.

He was accompanied by his wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, former Umno minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim and four bodyguards.

He was wearing a checkered blue shirt with a hat.

The Straits Times saw hundreds of people at the scene surrounding him and trying to shake his hand as he walked towards Central Market.

"I am here to support the people. This is not about the Chinese or Indians or Malays. This is not about Umno, BN, PAS, DAP or whatever. This is about the feelings of the people," he said, repeating his allegations against Prime Minister Najib Razak, asking him to step down.

"The only way for the people to get back to the old system is for them to remove this prime minister," he told the media. "And to remove him, the people must show people's power. The people as a whole do not want this kind of corrupt leader.

"We should move for a motion of no confidence in Parliament," he added.

After speaking to reporters, Dr Mahathir took a rest at a nearby restaurant, before heading for Dataran Merdeka, where the bulk of Bersih 4 participants are gathered.

He also visited the rally on Saturday, making a surprise visit to Dataran Merdeka with his wife Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali at about 7.30pm. They were greeted by hundreds of protesters.

He said he "just wan­ted to see" the situation for himself, and left about 10 minutes later.

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