FMT:
Malay unity a ‘myth’, Mahathir cause of disunity, says ex-MP
Tawfik Ismail hits out at the ‘politics of convenience’ involving Dr Mahathir Mohamad, PAS and Bersatu leaders in wanting to ‘save’ the Malays.
Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang met on Tuesday night. (Twitter pic)
PETALING JAYA: A former Umno MP has rubbished Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s latest attempt to “unite” and “save” the Malays, saying Malay unity is a “myth”.
“Mahathir has always been crying out for Malay unity but the irony is that he has caused Malay disunity, more than anyone else, by his own actions,” former Sungai Benut MP Tawfik Ismail said.
He accused Mahathir of being a divisive leader and ignoring the sentiments of the people, including Umno grassroots, when he served as the prime minister and Umno president.
He cited Umno’s 1987 crisis which not only led to a deep split within the party but a constitutional crisis when the Mahathir-led government suspended and eventually removed then lord president Salleh Abas.
Malaysia’s longest-serving prime minister had also fought with almost everyone he had ever allied with, said Tawfik.
He was commenting on reports that several PAS and Bersatu leaders had signed Mahathir’s “Malay Proclamation”, aimed at uniting and “saving” Malays.
The leaders, including PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang and Bersatu deputy president Ahmad Faizal Azumu, said they had signed the proclamation in their individual capacities.
“Malay dominance has never been under threat because the number of Malays in power is more than proportionate to its population,” said Tawfik, adding it was ironic that Mahathir was cosying up to PAS leaders when he had been “very negative” about the party’s Islamic credentials.
“It’s something very characteristic of Mahathir. He has very little concern for principles. He’s not very consistent in his choice of enemies.”
Tawfik said it was clear that Mahathir as well as the PAS and Bersatu leaders who signed the “Malay Proclamation” were engaging in “politics of convenience”.
“Malay unity is a chimera, a mythical creature made up of different parts of different creatures.
“Malay unity is a myth. Mahathir and his allies can try to talk about Malay unity, but the very act of dividing and ruling negates any effort towards that end,” he said.
PETALING JAYA: A former Umno MP has rubbished Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s latest attempt to “unite” and “save” the Malays, saying Malay unity is a “myth”.
“Mahathir has always been crying out for Malay unity but the irony is that he has caused Malay disunity, more than anyone else, by his own actions,” former Sungai Benut MP Tawfik Ismail said.
He accused Mahathir of being a divisive leader and ignoring the sentiments of the people, including Umno grassroots, when he served as the prime minister and Umno president.
He cited Umno’s 1987 crisis which not only led to a deep split within the party but a constitutional crisis when the Mahathir-led government suspended and eventually removed then lord president Salleh Abas.
Malaysia’s longest-serving prime minister had also fought with almost everyone he had ever allied with, said Tawfik.
He was commenting on reports that several PAS and Bersatu leaders had signed Mahathir’s “Malay Proclamation”, aimed at uniting and “saving” Malays.
The leaders, including PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang and Bersatu deputy president Ahmad Faizal Azumu, said they had signed the proclamation in their individual capacities.
“Malay dominance has never been under threat because the number of Malays in power is more than proportionate to its population,” said Tawfik, adding it was ironic that Mahathir was cosying up to PAS leaders when he had been “very negative” about the party’s Islamic credentials.
“It’s something very characteristic of Mahathir. He has very little concern for principles. He’s not very consistent in his choice of enemies.”
Tawfik said it was clear that Mahathir as well as the PAS and Bersatu leaders who signed the “Malay Proclamation” were engaging in “politics of convenience”.
“Malay unity is a chimera, a mythical creature made up of different parts of different creatures.
“Malay unity is a myth. Mahathir and his allies can try to talk about Malay unity, but the very act of dividing and ruling negates any effort towards that end,” he said.
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