PAKATAN Harapan takes care of Malays’ interests, but does not “shout” about it, said Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

He said this in response to the recently inked cooperation between Umno and PAS to garner Malay support for their pact.

Barisan Nasional’s wins in the Cameron Highlands and Semenyih by-elections in the past two months have resulted in its lynchpin, Umno, forging closer ties with traditional rival PAS with the aim of securing Malay support on the basis of PH having failed the community.

“We (PH) look after the interests of Malays, but we don’t shout (about it). They (PAS and Umno) try to separate Malays from other races. That is very bad for a multiracial country,” said Dr Mahathir, who is also PH chairman, at the opening of the year’s first parliamentary session today.

He said while the government takes care of Malays’ interests, it also ensures equality and fairness among all races.

“The interests of Malays will be looked after by PH, but we want to make sure that it’s not only equal, but fair. It must be fair and equal, not equality without fairness.”

PH is committed to looking after Malays and ensuring that the community gains an equitable share of the country’s wealth, said Dr Mahathir.

He admitted that his cabinet members sometimes issue statements that reflect badly on them, but added that it is because they are still relatively fresh.

“I must admit that many of us are very new. Sometimes, we say things that reflect badly on us, but you have to give us time. They (BN) had a 60-year lead,” he said when asked about claims that PH is not familiar with the people’s needs.

“We are not even a year old. I don’t think BN are experts, either. Some of them have made silly mistakes.” – March 11, 2019.