Plethora of Malay parties for some to get rich, says Dr Mahathir

Desmond Davidson Desmond Davidson Updated 3 years ago · Published on 17 Feb 2021 7:17PM · 3 Comments

Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad says the large number of Malay parties now are for some leaders to chase after wealth and power rather than fighting for the community. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, February 17, 2021.

THE existence of many Malay political parties is meant for some of its members and leaders to enrich themselves, said former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The 95-year-old Langkawi MP told a live interview organised by Sinar Harian that these parties which claim to champion the rights and interests of the Malays are actually vehicles to greater wealth.

He did not name any party but those that are currently active on the political scene are Umno, PAS, PKR, Bersatu, Amanah and his own party, Pejuang.

Dr Mahathir said in pre-Merdeka Malaya, Umno leaders then really fought for the Malays on principle.

“There was only one party, Umno and they (the leaders) fought for nothing. It was unattractive.”

Dr Mahathir said after independence, people began to see that the road to riches was in having a political position “by becoming YBs (elected representatives), by becoming ministers, even the prime minister and the attractive salaries that come with the position.”

He said as a result, fighting for the rights and interests of the Malay became secondary for these Malay politicians as they became preoccupied in chasing wealth and positions.

He also said his own yet-to-be-registered party, Pejuang, will not fragment Malay unity.

Dr Mahathir said Pejuang has “alternative plans” but would not divulge them just yet.

He blamed the rejection of Pejuang’s application to the Registrar of Societies (RoS) on Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

Dr Mahathir said refusing Pejuang’s registration would weaken the opposition’s influence at the next general election.

“That’s my personal guess… even though we have fulfilled all the requirements of the registration.

“The law states that the government has to register the organisation if they fulfil all the conditions.”

He said there was politics at play, similar to what former prime minister Najib Razak did to Bersatu just before the 14th general election in 2018.

Bersatu was already registered as a party but the RoS issued a provisional dissolution order a month before the general election. – February 17, 2021.

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Comments

  • Why should anyone be surprised? The wealth is kept amongst a closed elite class. Even in education, their children are sent overseas to study.

    Posted 3 years ago by Edwin N · Reply

  • If Malaysia practice meritocracy, cronyism will stop and many of these unqualified politicians will be kicked out of politics.

    Posted 3 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • Dont blame the Malays. Blame the leaders. It all started during his era when he gave positions and power to his loyalists and cronies. Now it has snowballed out of control, it has brought the leaders (including himself) to its knees The rot always starts from the top and this is testimony to it. He has no one to blame but himself but will he admit it?

    Posted 3 years ago by Elyse Gim · Reply