A SUGGESTION to form a government with Barisan Nasional (BN) and PAS to strengthen the Malay and Muslim position in Putrajaya has been shot down by Prime Minister and Bersatu chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

He said Malaysia is a multi-racial country and it will not be right for the government to consist of members of one race.

“We are not interested in forming a new government. Malaysia is a multi-racial country and since independence we have had government with all races in it.

“This is a reality of this country and all the races have rights in our country,” said Dr Mahathir at the Parliament lobby today.

Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan had proposed that Dr Mahathir form a government with BN and PAS if he was sincere in strengthening the Malay and Muslim position in the country after lamenting at the Malay Dignity Congress last Sunday that infighting in the community had weakened its position in the country.

Mohamad, who is also Rantau assemblyman, said the new government could consist of parties from Sabah and Sarawak.

He had wanted PAS and Umno to be given a role in restoring the country, adding that they did not just want to be “passengers”.

“It’s up to Dr Mahathir to make a decision, because the truth is many Malays have made the choice to reject Pakatan Harapan,” he said.

Dr Mahathir refuted claims he was provoking the Malays through his speech at the congress.

“I’m just saying that the dignity of the Malays has to be restored by the Malays themselves. We cannot rely on other people or the government.

“That was the content of my speech, and I don’t think I did anything wrong.” – October 8, 2019.