FORMER prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad remains influential and relevant as a defender of Malay rights, a group said.

Secretariat Proklamasi Orang Melayu, which has made the two-time prime minister its adviser, said he was most qualified to advise on discussions about Malay community issues, including the economy and the cost of living.

Yet the planned gathering has been called off four times with one venue after another backing out.

Dr Mahathir was due to attend the event, but his recent remarks claiming the Malays are oppressed have caused alarm and outrage in a Malaysia with a new unity government formed after an inconclusive general election in November 2022.

Secretariat chairman Marzuki Yahya told The Malaysian Insight the 97-year-old was sincere about fighting for Malays and the future of the country.

“There is no limit in the struggle of a nation. What is important is the sincerity and honesty that Dr Mahathir brings.

“To us, he is an adviser and he is guiding us to succeed in this struggle. The influence is still there,” Marzuki told The Malaysian Insight.

The former Pejuang deputy president was also surprised by comments claiming that Dr Mahathir was no longer relevant because Marzuki said the veteran former statesman was still well received abroad and the response to him was extraordinary.

“Foreign countries are better at judging Dr Mahathir than his own country. As recently as this, he was invited to attend a forum in Japan.

“This is not once but every year he is invited. If Dr Mahathir is not relevant, I don’t think foreign countries will want to call him,” he said.

Perception

Marzuki said Dr Mahathir’s supposed irrelevance is just a perception created by his political enemies.

Another member of the secretariat, Mahdzir Ibrahim, said the reception towards Dr Mahathir at international level is proof of his statesmanship.

“We consider Dr Mahathir an institution, which cuts across political parties, across countries and nations. That is the link between his position internationally and domestically,” he added.

Mahdzir, who is also Gerakan Tanah Air (GTA) deputy information chief, said Dr Mahathir has to this day consistently spoke about the struggles of the Malays.

“Dr Mahathir left Umno and fought against the party because he wanted the Malays to have a political body that really fights for their rights, which was morally clean,” he said.

He also said Dr Mahathir is a statesman with ideas and passion to fight for economic and political stability.

“In the context of Malaysia, stability is maintained when the majority of the people, the Malays, are protected… only then will the country be stable.

“If the majority of the people are neglected, there will be an unbalanced economy among the people.

“That’s how statesmen think,” he added.

Mahdzir also dismissed claims that Dr Mahathir was only surrounded by the group that lost in the election, and had been rejected by the people and those who depended on his stature.

“We are honest in this matter. Young people and professionals are not ready to show their support openly because they are pressured.

“There are also academics who are threatened if they attend an event with Dr Mahathir.

“We understand. We don’t want them to jeopardise their careers and their future,” he said.

Movement not Dr Mahathir’s idea

Another member of the secretariat, Khairuddin Abu Hassan, insisted the idea of establishing the movement was not the brainchild of Dr Mahathir.

It is the result of efforts of various parties that want the Malays to have a platform to fight for their rights.

He emphasised that Dr Mahathir’s role was only as a temporary adviser.

“Dr Mahathir’s passion for our plight is very strong. We cannot separate Dr Mahathir from the Malays because he has been talking about our struggle for decades,” he said.

Khairuddin rejected the notion that the secretariat needs Dr Mahathir because it cannot stand alone without him.

“When we meet grassroots supporters we never even mention Dr Mahathir because he is not a member of the secretariat.

“The Malays give solid support because they want to see what we are talking about and fighting for, not due to him, that is a fact,” he said.

Meanwhile, Gagasan Bangsa spokesperson Aminuddin Yahaya – who is also a member of the secretariat – said the group’s defeat in the last general election was a different issue.

“We are talking about the struggle of the Malays, which has no time limit or season.

“The fact that we are prevented from gathering means that our influence is still there, causing concern,” he said.

Aminuddin did not rule out the possibility of the secretariat work with government on Malay issues.

“If the current government says it is right to defend the rights of the Malays, we will support it, but so far we don’t see that,” he said. – March 22, 2023.