NEWS that former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has established Gerakan Tanah Air (GTA), a new coalition that intends to empower the Malays especially in terms of economy, did not sit well with netizens who took to social media to lambast the nonagenarian.
Bernama reported on Thursday (Aug 4) that for the initial stage, GTA would comprise Pejuang, Parti Perikatan India Muslim Nasional (IMAN), Parti Barisan Jemaah Islamiah Se-Malaysia (BERJASA) and Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia (PUTRA).
The Langkawi MP said the coalition’s membership would be opened to non-governmental organisations (NGOs), individuals, academicians and professionals among the Malays.
Netizens were, however, not amused by the move and accused Dr Mahathir of playing the racial card especially with the 15th General Election (GE15) on the horizon.
(To be honest politicians like him are the ones who tore the nation apart and now he acts innocent and wants to unite the Malays. Each time he will say something Malay-related in his statement. Don’t forget, he’s the one who said Malays forget easily and are lazy. Sick!)
Echoing @DeathIsSure2810’s sentiment, user @Kakascript said:
(When not in power, [Mahathir] defends [our] religion and the Malay race. When in power, he says Malays are lazy.)
Netizen @emirulhanif further remarked:
(You defend Malays left, right, front and back but let me ask you, what exactly do we get? We get scraps. Powder from the cakes they ate.)
Meanwhile, another netizen pointed out that Mahathir has to fight for his family’s wealth empire and that race cards always win.
“Malays do not need to rely on parties like PAS, UMNO, Pejuang and Bersatu but these parties are greatly dependent on Malay votes to continue their political lifeline,” said @YeohCC.
Similarly, netizen @TehlohSuwi wondered about the regressive nature of Dr Mahathir’s new political coalition, noting that the political parties in the coalition are all Malays.
“Say what you want about the other coalitions but at least they have non-Malays,” the user said.
An equally frustrated @ayus_mahroji pointed out:
(There is no need for Malay groups, Islamic groups, Chinese groups or Indian groups. Why not establish a good party with participation from all races. Bring the country forward. Malays holding their current positions are equally as bad.) – Aug 5, 2022
