Dr M's 'Malays lost power' mantra merely a narrative - Johor DAP veep

Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s “Malays have lost power” mantra is nothing more than a narrative, said Johor DAP vice-president Sheikh Umar Bagharib Ali.

He claimed that Mahathir is merely trying to trigger political polemics by harping on the mantra via his ‘Malay People's Proclamation’ signature campaign.

“I have read it (the proclamation), but I don’t see anything new in it.

“We have already witnessed the same polemic being played on to strengthen the political survival of certain factions. It is not based on economic development and the unity of all Malaysians,” Sheikh Umar (above) said in a statement today.

This comes after Mahathir’s departure from the Gerakan Tanah Air coalition, saying he would focus on the proclamation.

The nonagenarian said that the Malays from other political parties, including DAP, would not be comfortable supporting the proclamation if he was still part of a political party.

“The proclamation aims to unite Malays beyond political parties.

“This means that the Malays - who are also members of Umno, PKR and Amanah, as well as those in DAP - will sign the proclamation if they share the same awareness,” Mahathir explained.

In response, Sheikh Umar denied being comfortable supporting the movement, revealing that he has yet to sign the online campaign.

He asserted that “scripts” repeatedly positioning the Malay masses as though they are being threatened by other races is neither beneficial to the former nor Malaysians as a whole.

“The Malays have not gone anywhere. The rich are only the selected few and cronies. The majority of the rest of them are left to continue to struggle for the sake of power in every election.

“Let's not forget, it was only about four years ago that Mahathir headed the Malay Dignity Congress.

“He claimed that it was not political, but the then Pakatan Harapan government eventually collapsed a few months later.”

‘We already have Constitution’

Therefore, the DAP’s central executive committee (CEC) member did not see the need for such a proclamation, adding that the Constitution is the highest official document to guarantee all special rights of the Malays, the position of Malay rulers, language and religion.

“DAP has repeatedly expressed its commitment to this matter. It was also ratified through an important DAP document - the Shah Alam Declaration 2012,” Sheikh Umar said.

If Mahathir is sincere in defending the Malay community, he called on the veteran politician to strengthen the Malay agenda through Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s “Malaysia Madani” framework.

“Avoid competition. It’s not just the Malays who are the backbone, but other races who also contribute to making Malaysia well known.

“This is the time for us to see Malaysia recover and become strong again in the eyes of the world.”

PM: No issue declaring assets, I have already done so

Being politically active not on my mind right now: Dr M

Dr M quits GTA, focuses on 'Malay Proclamation'

Govt never sidelined Malay, Islamic agenda - Zahid