Summary
Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad is forming a Malay secretariat committee as a "big umbrella" to "save the Malays" by addressing issues affecting the community.
The committee aims to return Malay-led government by focusing on Malay issues.
PN is involved, but he claims it is non-partisan and that Umno is also free to join.
In yet another bid to “save the Malays” through returning political dominance, former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad yesterday announced the formation of a Malay secretariat committee as a “big umbrella” for the community.
This follows a meeting with several political leaders - including from Perikatan Nasional - to discuss the secretariat.
Among those present were PN chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin, Bersatu deputy president Hamzah Zainudin, and PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man.
Mahathir said the committee would serve as a platform to address issues affecting the Malay community that the government had failed to resolve.
“We have agreed to focus on Malay issues - not party matters, but issues that concern all Malays.
“They (Malays) need fighters to champion their cause. Right now, they don’t have a dedicated fighter. We’re not concerned with other problems, we just want to focus on one struggle - the struggle to save the Malays,” he said during a press conference at the Perdana Leadership Foundation in Putrajaya.
Return to power
The veteran politician said that the many problems of the Malays can only be resolved if the Malays once again lead the government.
“That is why our struggle is to find a way to return to power, so we can address these problems.
“We have agreed to form an informal movement, which we are calling the ‘big umbrella’, so that all Malays can be part of one group,” said the soon-to-be centenarian.
When asked whether the movement would involve Umno, the main Malay-based party, Mahathir, who since his exit had led two splinter parties - Bersatu and Pejuang - said he was open to Umno members joining the struggle.
“Even if they are Umno members, if they agree with our cause, we will accept them,” he said.
