5-7-2023 (KUALA LUMPUR) Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Muhyiddin Yassin has revealed that his meeting with former Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad centered on the position and future of the Malays, as well as the latter’s support for the opposition coalition in the upcoming state elections. Muhyiddin, in a Facebook post following their meeting on Tuesday night, said that they agreed to strengthen unity among the Malays and enhance support for Perikatan Nasional in facing the six state elections on Aug 12.
The discussion on the future of the Malays did not touch specifically on the Malay Proclamation, a 12-point document written by Dr Mahathir that purportedly aims to protect the interests of and unite the Malay community to “restore the political power of Malays”.
The meeting between the two former prime ministers is believed to be the first since the “Sheraton Move” in 2020 when a number of Members of Parliament defected from the then-ruling Pakatan Harapan coalition. This triggered the collapse of the short-lived PH government led by Dr Mahathir, paving the way for Muhyiddin to take up the mantle as Malaysia’s next prime minister.
According to the Malay Mail, the Malay Proclamation movement is not based on party affiliation, but on the basis of solving the struggles faced by Malays in Malaysia. The movement’s secretariat chairman Khairuddin Abu Hassan said that the meeting between the two leaders will “give new impetus to the Malay Proclamation movement” to empower and strengthen the position of Malays.
Dr Mahathir was quoted as saying that he is ready to work with Muhyiddin if the two leaders can reach a consensus on mutual goals, including efforts to champion the Malay cause and to reject those involved in corruption or criminal misconduct. When asked during a press conference if the cooperation with PN would be permanent or only for the state elections, Dr Mahathir said it would be discussed during the meeting with Muhyiddin.
Bersatu, a component party of the opposition PN coalition, stands for the 12 points listed in the Malay Proclamation document, according to Muhyiddin. The document is the foundation of their struggles.
