‘Malay proclamation in line with Perikatan’s struggle’

PETALING JAYA: Bersatu is in support of the Malay Proclamation mooted by former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad as it is in line with the struggle of Perikatan Nasional, said the party’s deputy president Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu (pic).

The former Tambun MP and Perak mentri besar acknowledged that he, too, supports the proclamation touted as uniting and saving the Malay community, which was also recently endorsed by the top brass of PAS.

“PAS leaders were free to do as they wished when they visited Dr Mahathir because they are not bound by any strings in Perikatan as long as they are committed to our mutual cause of championing Malay interests,” Ahmad Faizal said yesterday.

On March 19, Dr Mahathir launched a 12-point Malay declaration that listed the many ways the community were allegedly being affected economically, socially and politically in the country.

He had then called on all who supported the Malay struggle to sign the proclamation.

Ahmad Faizal was asked to comment on the meeting that took place on Tuesday night between top PAS leaders and Dr Mahathir, a former founder of Malay rights parties Bersatu and Pejuang, at the 97-year-old leader’s residence in Selangor.

“We learned that PAS president (Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang) and a number of the party’s top leaders met Dr Mahathir recently.

“I’m sure it was in line with the spirit of Syawal – visiting one another. We also learned that they signed the Malay Proclamation.

“Bersatu has not met yet to discuss the matter. But my personal view is that there is nothing wrong with PAS leaders or Malays who take a stand to support a proclamation about how the Malays can work together to improve their livelihood and nation,” he said.

Mohd Syahir Che Sulaiman, who is Abdul Hadi’s political secretary, said the meeting with Dr Mahathir was more of a Hari Raya visit to the elderly statesman.

“We visited him in the spirit of Hari Raya Aidilfitri,” added the Bachok MP.

Checks with Bersatu and PAS leaders show that PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan and Mohd Syahir did inform Bersatu leaders about the visit.

Another PAS source said Perikatan realised the need to unite all the Malay political forces ahead of the six state elections.

“Dr Mahathir is still a force to be reckoned with among the Malays even though his former party Pejuang is not.

“It is better if the Malays unite against the Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan government,” said the source.

The source also said that PAS felt the need to pave the way for Dr Mahathir to be brought back to support the voices of opposition Malays, although he might still not have forgiven Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin for replacing him as prime minister after the infamous Sheraton Move.

The visit had set tongues wagging as it came amid talk of a purported overthrow of the unity government.

On Thursday, Abdul Hadi said his meeting with the two-time PM was to enhance unity among the Malays who formed the majority in the country.

“Although Dr Mahathir has differences with PAS, there is common ground which can be taken into account for the sake of religion, race and country in Islam.

“The Malays are disunited because of political differences and many did not come out to vote because they hate politics or found it irrelevant,” he said in a Facebook post.