FOR the benefit of “race, religion, and country,” Perikatan Nasional chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said he is willing to collaborate with former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
The Bersatu president asserted that recent political developments had put the Malay-Muslim community in Malaysia at a crossroads, though he did not elaborate.
Moreover, Muhyiddin did not specify the type of collaboration he was willing to develop with Dr Mahathir, who is now a member of Putra, a party led by long-time ally Datuk Ibrahim Ali.
“I am ready to work with Muhyiddin if an agreement could be reached on mutual goals,” news portal MalaysiaNow reported Dr Mahathir as saying yesterday (June 1).
The relationship between the two former UMNO leaders had deteriorated in February 2020 due to the Sheraton Move which resulted in the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) administration, of which Dr Mahathir was prime minister.
The Pagoh MP who succeeded Dr Mahathir as prime minister was referred to as a “traitor” by Dr Mahathir, who then resigned as chairman of Bersatu.
However, prior to the 15th General lection (GE15) last November, Dr Mahathir noted that he was willing to forget Muhyiddin’s betrayal so that his Gerakan Tanah Air (GTA) coalition of Bumiputra parties and NGOs, and PN could work together in taking on PH and Barisan Nasional (BN).
This proposed pact did not materialise and GTA which included Pejuang, lost in every seat it contested.
Furthermore, Dr Mahathir has since left both Pejuang and GTA having launched a new movement called the “Malay Proclamation,” urging Malay leaders from all parties, NGOs, and other groups to support the proclamation.
The “Malay Proclamation” was signed by three Bersatu officials and several PAS leaders including its president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang. – June 2, 2023
Main photo credit: Reuters
