LANGKAWI (May 7): The doctor is back in Langkawi after coming here for the first time in 1956, and falling in love with the place, said Tan Sri Mokhzani Mahathir, the second son of Pakatan Harapan chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad who is contesting the Parliamentary seat in a three-corner fight this May 9.

“My father came here in 1956 as a medical officer. He didn’t plan to come back here to be Parliament candidate but he wants to in order to right the ‘Malaysian master plan’ that has gone wrong,” he said to some 50 people at a tea session with Kuah and Ayer Hangat state seat candidates here yesterday.

Mahathir would be facing Barisan Nasional incumbent Datuk Nawawi Ahmad and PAS' Zubir Ahmad in the traditional BN seat.

The 57-year-old corporate figure said although Mahathir became the country’s Prime Minister for 22 years from 1981, he would still come to the island every month.

“He doesn’t sit at the beach and have a teh tarik but he will take his little brown car and drive around the island everyday. Where can you find a man like this?

“Wherever he went in the world, he would have a ‘buku 555’ (a small notebook) and jot down the type of plans or projects there and try to implement here. His love for this place is immeasurable,” he added.

Mokhzani has taken to campaigning in Kedah state where his younger brother Mukhriz is contesting the Jerlun Parliamentary and Jitra state seats, by visiting rural villages including Felda schemes urging them to vote for Pakatan.

“Only God knows how much time my father has in him but he said for whatever time he has left, he is dedicating everything to Malaysians.

“His love for the people here and Langkawi is genuine. He has been taking care of Langkawi people since 1956 as their medical officer and now the doctor is back,” he said.