PM: Harapan needs to address race issues to beat Umno-PAS

Pakatan Harapan needs to take on the race debate or it will lose ground to the combined forces of Umno and PAS, says Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Speaking at a press conference today, Mahathir defended recent controversial statements by Education Minister Maszlee Malik, and stressed that talking about racial issues did not mean one was being racist.

“He (Maszlee) spoke a little about race, this does not mean he is racist," he said.

“In our party (Bersatu), many people talk about race. Those with Indian heritage will talk about the Indians, the Chinese from DAP will talk about the Chinese, the Malays will talk about the Malays, the Ibans about the Ibans and the Kadazans about the Kadazans.

“But they are all Malaysians, you cannot question their nationality. Race is different." 

Mahathir was asked to respond to calls for Maszlee to be removed from his position for defending the cabinet’s decision to retain the quota system in the pre-university matriculation programme.

The Pakatan Harapan chairperson also said that the pull of Umno and PAS on Malays has to be countered.

“The problem is if you (want) to win the support of the bumiputera. 

"And now it has become important because Umno dan PAS have joined forces and are using race and religion to win support.

“If we do not explain our position on race, I think we will lose in elections,” he predicted.

Bersatu EGM on Jul 20

At today’s press conference, held after a Bersatu supreme council meeting, Mahathir announced that his party will hold an extraordinary general meeting on July 20 to amend its constitution.

This is to allow more Bersatu members to attend its annual general meetings.

"We want to ensure that the delegate (system) is fair to all members, we want to give all members a chance to take part, at least at the division level. 

"We will also be determining the composition of our divisions (during the EGM),” he said, adding that delegates who attended last year’s AGM will be required to attend the July event.

No venue was announced for the EGM.

Mahathir also announced that his party obtained approval to use the name 'Bersatu.'

This request was initially denied by the Registrar of Societies under the previous BN administration. 

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