Now Mahathir warns of Bangladeshi phantom voters in GE14

Following the 2013 general election, then opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim was often derided by BN for allegedly claiming that the ruling coalition had flown in over 40,000 Bangladeshis to the Peninsula to cast votes.

Anwar had denied making the claim, alleging instead that Umno president Najib Abdul Razak had misled Parliament on the matter.

Five years later, however, Anwar's former adversary-turned-ally Dr Mahathir Mohamad is now making the same warning, that phantom voters from Bangladesh could appear on polling day, May 9.

"If Pakatan Harapan wins with just a few hundred votes, Najib will cheat and stuff (the ballot boxes) with illegal votes.

"Maybe Bangladeshis will vote too," Mahathir said at ceramah in Felda Johol, Negeri Sembilan last night.

He made the remark while urging Harapan supporters to turn up at the polling stations in big numbers on election day.

This is to ensure a Harapan victory with solid majorities that can't be overcome by electoral fraud.

In the lead up to the 2013 polls, Anwar had indeed claimed that foreign nationals were among at least 40,500 dubious individuals he claimed the government was flying into the Peninsula.

However, he was not reported to have specified a nationality of the alleged foreign phantom voters.

Meanwhile, Mahathir last night also alleged taxi drivers who attended a function where Najib announced RM800 fuel cards would not be receiving the aid until after the elections.

"He (Najib) promised them RM800... but suddenly they were told that they would not be getting the RM800 until BN wins.

"They will not get it even if BN wins. Najib will break his promise. What more if he loses," the Harapan chairperson claimed.

The RM800 1Malaysia Taxi Aid cards were announced at an event in Serdang last week.

Following the event, the over 10,000 cabbies in attendance made a mad dash for the cards, resulting in 30 hurt.

Three days later, the Land Public Transport Commission (Spad) in a statement said there were allegations on social media that the chaos was triggered when cabbies were told they would only be receiving the cards after the general election.

Spad has denied the allegation and said the cards - meant for over 67,000 cabbies - can be obtained at the commission's offices nationwide.

It also said the cards can be used immediately to redeem either petrol or gas at Petronas stations nationwide. - Mkini