FORMER prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad is resorting to politics of race and religion, which will divide the nation in his last bid to rejuvenate his legacy, several Sarawak leaders said.

They said Dr Mahathir is playing with fire if he throws his support behind the Proklamasi Orang Melayu gathering, which is scheduled to be held today.

Leaders of two non-Malay political parties, Parti Rakyat Sarawak Youth chief Snowdan Lawan and Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak president Bobby Williams, said Dr Mahathir must be hauled up if he crosses the line on what is generally acceptable in the country’s fragile race relations.

“It is divisive. It will further worsen race relations in this country.

“Dr Mahathir should know better than to play with fire,” said Williams.

Williams said if the gathering is allowed to continue, it would “cause unrest” between the Malays and non-Malays.

Lawan, however, was more inclined to believe Dr Mahathir is using the gathering for a personal political agenda rather than race baiting.

“Dr Mahathir has an ulterior motive. He’s trying to reignite and revive his fading political support and personal popularity,” Lawan, who is also the state’s deputy tourism, creative industry and performing arts minister, said.

“I interpret it as promoting his legacy. It’s his final attempt to rejuvenate his legacy.”

He said the former prime minister took the first step by endorsing his son Mukhriz’s recent assertion that vernacular schools should be ditched first before Malaysia can have a non-Muslim prime minister.

Lawan said Dr Mahathir could be using the gathering to divert the public’s attention from digging into his past while he was in office amid Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s vow to root out corrupt leaders.

At the PKR special congress in Shah Alam yesterday, Anwar had said “many corrupt former leaders, when given the opportunity to lead, squandered the country’s wealth and enriched their family members.”

Without naming names, Anwar said these leaders made their children billionaires.

“I will fight them hard,” the PKR president added.

“Knowing that, stirring up political issues and sentiments is the next best option for Dr Mahathir to divert attention.

“Dr Mahathir should instead preserve the image of the political leader he was, his contributions to the nation as the respected fatherly figure he is.

“It is best to allow this unity government to run its tenure while Dr Mahathir makes a graceful exit.

“This generation will survive this transition with or without him. Thus this gathering will not succeed with this generation,” Lawan said.

Williams said he believes Dr Mahathir’s presence at the gathering has nothing to do with defending the Malays and their rights.

He asked how the Malays are being threatened when they hold important ministerial posts in the cabinet and key positions in the civil service, police and armed forces.

Williams said the gathering today should not be allowed to go on as it could cause unrest which can consume the nation if not nipped in the bud.

One of Borneo’s most respected elder statesmen, Parti Bersatu Sabah president Maximus Ongkili, however, said Malaysians should just ignore the former prime minister.

“People should just ignore him. He’s a relic of the past.

“The gathering will not succeed,” he said.

Parti Sarawak Bersatu secretary-general, Baru Bian, in a statement on a separate issue, said it is good that the prime minister has issued a warning to those fanning racial flames and “reassured us that the country belongs to all Malaysians”.

“Police should keep a close eye on troublemakers and take action where necessary so that the stability of our country can be maintained. The current government must be allowed the space and time to rebuild our economy instead of having to constantly counter those who are motivated by their own selfish agenda for political power,” the Ba’ Kelalan assemblyman added. – March 19, 2023.