Latest news with #DrMahathir
Free Malaysia Today
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Malay unity a must for broader national consensus, says Bersatu man
The 'Malay umbrella' initiative was launched by Dr Mahathir Mohamad, with support from leaders of Bersatu and PAS. PETALING JAYA : A Bersatu leader has defended the party's support for Dr Mahathir Mohamad's proposed 'Malay umbrella', denying claims that it contradicts its shift towards a more moderate and centrist political position. Bersatu Supreme Council member Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal argued that supporting the latest initiative to unite the Malays complemented, rather than contradicted, the party's efforts to reach out to non-Malays. The Machang MP said the two are not mutually exclusive but key building blocks in establishing long-lasting multiracial cooperation. 'In fact, Malay unity is a prerequisite for building a broader national consensus,' he told FMT. Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal. Wan Fayhsal rejected suggestions that Perikatan Nasional was veering towards far-right or chauvinistic politics, saying its approach was anchored in the higher objectives of Islam, namely to preserve harmony and peace among all races. 'We're not launching a far-right or ultra-nationalist movement. We simply want Malays to be aware of long-term issues that will affect them if we remain disunited,' he said. Any political party aspiring to govern the country must have the support of the Malay electorate, whose electoral participation and political awareness are still lacking, he added. PN's main components of PAS and Bersatu have already obtained a big chunk of Malay support, but Wan Fayhsal said it was insufficient and could be improved. 'We have to build enough consensus among the Malays first, among the scholars, among the teachers, among the kampung folks, before reaching the next step,' he said, adding that this was the approach even before Malaya's independence. On Wednesday, Mahathir launched his new Malay unity 'umbrella'' with the backing of PAS and Bersatu; it is aimed at restoring the community's political power and protecting them from political and economic decline. However, the initiative's theme appeared to contradict Bersatu's shift towards more moderate and centrist politics, when leaders such as deputy president Hamzah Zainudin had recently mooted a 'new national consensus' that went beyond one race or religion. Political analyst Mazlan Ali of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia said Bersatu's decision to back the 'Malay umbrella' would make people question the party's sincerity about bringing national reconciliation. Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid of Universiti Sains Malaysia described it as typical political doublespeak, where politicians use almost contradictory tones and themes when addressing different audiences. However, Wan Fayhsal said he believed that Mahathir's alliance was a sincere and necessary step towards political stability. He said the current government was on an unstable footing. 'Like it or not, the current government is in very bad shape because (Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim) has failed to muster Malay support until today. So until and unless the Malays warm up to the government, the country will not be politically stable,' said Wan Fayhsal, a former deputy national unity minister. Wan Fayhsal said the 'Malay umbrella' could also generate political interest and awareness among young Malays, adding that this was a key strategy for PN as it prepares for the next general election.
Focus Malaysia
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Focus Malaysia
Taking a leaf from Tun M, Ramasamy moots umbrella body to champion non-Malays' political, economic rights
LEGAL and constitutional protections are no longer enough to safeguard not just the Malays – but all Malaysians – from the looming spectre of economic and political decline. Twice former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad recently proposed the formation of an umbrella organisation to defend and promote Malay economic and political interests. His concern: the Malays face an uncertain and troubling future despite formal guarantees. Dr Mahathir believes that the current administration under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim lacks sufficient Malay support to effectively defend their interests. On other occasions, Dr Mahathir has even suggested that the Pakatan Harapan (PH)-led coalition is politically dependent on the DAP, thus raising doubts about its ability to act independently or inclusively. But Dr Mahathir's alarm shouldn't just concern the Malays. The future of all Malaysians – including the Chinese, Indians and native communities in Sabah and Sarawak – is being called into question. UMNO vice-president Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin has pointed to legal provisions and the role of Malay rulers as safeguards. But these are formal structures without agency. Without proactive and visionary leadership, they cannot ensure the well-being of Malays or non-Malays alike. 'Fate of non-Malays equally worrisome' Although Dr Mahathir stopped short of detailing the exact economic, social or political threats, his warning speaks to a broader fear: the current government's inability to manage national affairs effectively. And while his message was targeted at Malays, its implications apply to every ethnic group in Malaysia. Dr Mahathir's emphasis on Malay solidarity seems calculated – an attempt to build a united front against the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar-led Madani government. Whether Malays will rally under his new political umbrella remains to be seen. Many have already shifted their allegiance from the PH coalition to the Perikatan Nasional (PN) opposition which appears to support Dr Mahathir's latest initiative. While Dr Mahathir's concern is centered on Malays, the fate of non-Malays under the PH-led government is equally worrisome. Anwar's much-vaunted reform agenda has all but collapsed, replaced by political manoeuvring, favouritism and family politics. The so-called reformist seems more focused on securing legal and constitutional immunity than delivering real change. Meanwhile, the DAP – once the voice of disillusioned Chinese Malaysians – has retreated into the politics of silence and complicity. Among Indian Malaysians, their disillusionment with multi-racial parties within the PH coalition which began in 2023 has since accelerated. Perhaps it is time for non-Malay communities to consider their own umbrella coalition – a political force to defend their rapidly eroding rights in an increasingly fragmented and directionless Malaysia. The writing is on the wall: without meaningful reform and inclusive governance, the entire nation – not just the Malays – faces an ominous and uncertain future. – June 6, 2025 Former DAP stalwart and Penang chief minister II Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is chairman of the United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) interim council. The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia. Main image credit: UKEC
Free Malaysia Today
06-06-2025
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
PN trying to portray itself as Malay unifier, says PKR man
Sungai Petani MP Taufiq Johari said Dr Mahathir Mohamad's proposal for Malay-based parties to come under a single, broad coalition is a 'desperate and provocative move'. (Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA : PKR's Taufiq Johari today accused Perikatan Nasional (PN) of attempting to portray itself as a unifier of the Malay community, following a PAS leader's defence of Dr Mahathir Mohamad's new alliance for 'restoring Malay power' in the government. In a statement, he said the former prime minister and PAS, a PN component, had 'divided the community many times before in the past'. He said Mahathir had quit Umno to form Bersatu and then Pejuang – all three of them Malay-based parties. PAS, meanwhile, had broken up Muafakat Nasional, an alliance between the Islamic party and Umno, the country's two largest Malay-Muslim parties, he said. 'Now PAS is the latest to jump on Mahathir's false assertion that a new alliance is needed to restore Malay unity. 'Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man must know that Mahathir's proposal for all Malay-based parties to come under a single, broad coalition is a desperate and provocative move,' he said. Tuan Ibrahim, the PAS deputy president, said last night that Mahathir's new platform was key to uniting the Malays. He also said that the proliferation of political parties was one of the main reasons behind disunity within the community. He said the democratic system had allowed the formation of many political parties and that a grand alliance involving intellectuals, corporate figures, politicians, and religious scholars was needed to unite the Malays. He also said that Mahathir's platform was different from PN, which was a coalition of political parties. On Wednesday, Mahathir announced a new loose coalition which would include PAS and Bersatu, to rally the Malays in an effort to save the community from what he described as political and economic decline. The event was attended by PN chairman Muhyiddin Yassin, opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin, and Tuan Ibrahim. Taufiq, the Sungai Petani MP, labelled it a 'gathering of disgruntled leaders' whom he said were trying to distract the public with a false narrative. 'I urge the Malays of today to look to the future, and not be tricked by these deceitful and irresponsible claims,' he said. Separately, Urimai chairman P Ramasamy said while Mahathir's new initiative was targeted at the Malays, it had implications for every ethnic group in Malaysia. 'Perhaps it is time for non-Malay communities to consider their own umbrella coalition – a political force to defend their rapidly eroding rights in an increasingly fragmented and directionless Malaysia,' he said in a Facebook post.
Free Malaysia Today
05-06-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Malay rights are safe, Khaled tells Dr M
Umno vice-president Khaled Nordin said the younger generation is smarter, more critical, and unlikely to fall for what he called 'emotional politics'. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : Umno vice-president Khaled Nordin has assured the Malay community that their rights and interests are firmly protected under the Federal Constitution and safeguarded by the country's monarchy. 'To all Malays: no one is threatening our rights or interests,' he said in an interview with FMT. 'They have long been enshrined in the Federal Constitution and protected by our wise Malay rulers.' Khaled was responding to a call by former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad for Malays to join his new unity alliance, which the latter said was aimed at saving the community from what he described as their political and economic decline. Mahathir said the group, which includes PAS and Bersatu, is not a political party but a coalition aimed at 'restoring Malay power' in the government. While he did not want to invite Umno to join the alliance as a party, Mahathir said he welcomed its members who share his views. Khaled stressed that the younger generation is smarter, more critical, and unlikely to fall for what he called 'emotional politics'. The defence minister also said he believes that the true challenge facing the Malay community lies not in external threats, but in outdated and regressive thinking among some of its own leaders. The Kota Tinggi MP also reminded Malays that they needed to focus on gaining knowledge, skills and competitiveness. 'Many Malay leaders do not realise that generations X, Y, Z and Alpha … are not easily swayed by emotional politics aimed solely at gaining power,' he said. 'We need to engage in rational politics guided by strong values. Sentimentalism alone won't help us.'
Free Malaysia Today
05-06-2025
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
Dr M's new Malay platform key to uniting divided community, says Tuan Ibrahim
PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said all Malay-based parties must come under a single, broad coalition as a platform to safeguard the community's future. PETALING JAYA : PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man has defended Dr Mahathir Mohamad's new platform to unite the Malays, saying the proliferation of political parties is one of the main reasons behind disunity within the community. He said the democratic system had allowed the formation of many political parties and, therefore, a grand alliance involving intellectuals, corporate figures, politicians and religious scholars was needed to unite the Malays. 'All segments must support this new platform. The proliferation of Malay-dominated parties is seen as a cause of division, and this is difficult to control because democracy allows it.' He said all Malay-based parties must come under a single, broad coalition as a platform to safeguard the community's future. When asked if this movement was a better platform to unite Malays compared to Perikatan Nasional (PN), he responded: 'PN is a coalition of political parties. It's different from this new platform.' The grouping announced by the former prime minister yesterday goes beyond existing political parties, he added. Earlier today, Kedah Umno information chief Shaiful Hazizy Zainol Abidin said Mahathir's new platform is nothing more than part of a repeated cycle of failed political experiments. He said Malay politics cannot be built on nostalgic rhetoric and repeated attempts to form new, loosely structured coalitions without a clear struggle or foundation. Besides Tuan Ibrahim, PN chairman Muhyiddin Yassin and Bersatu deputy president Hamzah Zainudin were also present at Mahathir's announcement for the new grouping yesterday. Mahathir said the formation of the new Malay alliance is aimed at 'restoring Malay power' in government. He said the coalition, which includes PAS and Bersatu, is not a formal political party for now but serves as an umbrella platform to protect the political and economic future of the Malay community. He also invited individual Umno members to join the coalition — but not the party as a whole. This marks Mahathir's latest effort to unite the Malays through a political platform, following previous initiatives such as Gerakan Tanah Air (GTA) and Pejuang, ahead of the 15th general election (GE15). However, all candidates linked to GTA were defeated in GE15, including Mahathir himself, who lost his deposit and failed to retain his Langkawi seat. GTA, launched in 2022, was effectively dissolved a year later when Mahathir, its chairman, admitted the movement was not effective at gaining voter support.
