Mahathir concedes some election promises may need time due to BN's mismanagement (Updated)

LANGKAWI: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed has conceded that some of the promises made as part of the Pakatan Harapan electoral manifesto may not materialise within the first 100 days of his administration.
It was because Pakatan has only just begun to discover the untold mismanagement and high debts of the previous government, Mahathir said.
"When we made our promises, we didn't know the extent of the damages caused by the previous government. So it is not easy to remedy it. It looks like we need more than a 100 days to gradually nurse the country back to the right track."
He said this after attending a breaking of fast ceremony at the Al-Hana Mosque in Kuah here, which was attended by some 3,000 people.
The event was sponsored by Jetty Point Sdn Bhd, one of the earliest investors on the island resort here.
Mahathir also thanked the people in Langkawi for supporting his comeback as the nation's seventh prime minister.
He also reminded Muslims in the country to cherish the peace and harmony between them and the non-Muslims alike, unlike in other Islamic nations.
"Here, we can mark Ramadan in peace and enjoy the breaking of fast unlike in some nations where even though the population is 97% Muslims, they end up quarreling and waging battles among themselves."
Mahathir also said that the Muslim politicians are mature here as they know that they may be rivals in the political realm but on the social level, they can remain as friends, especially in the context of the Muslim brotherhood.
"We may be political foes but on the social scale, we can remain as associates and we can build on our relationship by emphasizing on unity among Muslims."
Earlier, Mahathir told a press conference here that whoever wants to initiate business propositions in Kedah are welcome.
Referring to the Sarawakian former timber tycoon, Tan Sri Ting Pek Kiing, Mahathir said anybody can come here, not necessary Ting only.
He was responding to the reports that Ting plans to build a new tourism city valued at around RM30 billion on a reclaimed site near the west coast of the island.
"Ting was made a bankrupt previously but now he wants to revive his own business. We support all businesses."
Mahathir also said that he was not in favor if the project just consists of bringing over rich Chinese investors to the island resort, especially if it does not offer multiple benefits to the local community.
"But if Ting wants to do business, he is welcome. But the project he has conceived is massive and nobody has approved it yet. That is his dream to build a city like Kuala Lumpur in Langkawi. Everyone can dream. We cannot stop them from dreaming, but whether they will get the approval; that is another matter."