Dr M to meet Muhyiddin soon on cooperation

KUALA LUMPUR: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad will meet his former understudy-turned-rival, Perikatan Nasional chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin soon, to discuss political cooperation.

On June 1, Dr Mahathir said he was ready to work with Muhyiddin again, provided that both of them are able to reach a consensus on their goals.

Muhyiddin had been Bersatu president when Dr Mahathir was chairman but, after the Sheraton Move, the older man saw himself being removed from his position.

“He (Muhyiddin) supported the (Malay) proclamation and we did not go against each other,” said the former prime minister.

Asked if the cooperation with Perikatan would be a long-term one or just for the upcoming state elections, Dr Mahathir said this would be discussed.

“We can cooperate in state polls if that is what the people want,” he said yesterday.

Dr Mahathir said he would not contest in state polls.

“I’m quite old. I’m already senile. People abroad invited me to speak about what’s next for the world. Japan and South Korea invited me. But back here, people ask when am I retiring,” he added.

Earlier, Dr Mahathir chaired a closed-door meeting on his Malay Proclamation. Among those present were PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang, former Umno heavyweights Tan Sri Annuar Musa and Tan Sri Noh Omar, Putra president Datuk Ibrahim Ali, PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan, Pejuang president Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir and former Parti Bangsa Malaysia president-designate Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin.

Muhyiddin sent a representative to the meeting.

On the proclamation, Dr Mahathir said all leaders at the meeting agreed to address issues faced by the Malays.

“This is not to deny the rights of non-Malays. Don’t assume that our movement is anti non-Malay. We take into consideration the rights of others,” he said.