MALAYSIA — Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, the former Prime Minister of Malaysia met with Muhyiddin Yassin, the Chairman of the National Alliance (PN) on Tuesday (4 Jul) night, to establish cooperation for the Malay Proclamation agenda.
According to Malaysian media outlet Berita Harian, it is understood that the two leaders had a meeting for almost two hours at Dr. Mahathir’s residence.
The meeting between the two former Prime Ministers is believed to be the first since the Sheraton Move in 2020, which resulted in the downfall of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government led by Dr. Mahathir before Muhyiddin took over as Prime Minister.
The meeting was also attended by the Malay Proclamation secretariat chairman, Datuk Seri Khairuddin Abu Hassan.
Dr. M introduced the “Malay Proclamation” agenda in March 2023. The 12-point document aimed at safeguarding the interests of the Malay community and uniting them to regain political power.
Khairuddin stated in a statement that the meeting between the two Malay leaders would provide “fresh impetus to the Malay Proclamation Movement” in advancing its agenda and strengthening the position of the ethnic community.
He said the meeting is significant as it represents a comprehensive Malay unity effort being pursued by Dr. Mahathir to fulfill the hopes and dreams of the Malay people.
“Both of these Malay leaders are willing to put aside all past political differences to ensure the continuity of the struggle to empower our ethnic community in this blessed land.”
“The admirable qualities of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin will serve as a new pillar of support for the entire Malay community, who yearn for absolute Malay unity or solidarity.”
“The Malay community is demanding effective unity to re-empower our ethnic community, so that we become a respected nation both domestically and internationally,” Khairuddin said.
Currently, Dr Mahathir is leading the Malay Proclamation Movement, it was reported that certain Malay leaders, including Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang, endorsed the proclamation in May 2023.
Khairuddin claims Malay Proclamation has received an exceptional response from the Malay community across the country
Meanwhile, Khairuddin stated that Dr Mahathir’s sincere intention in inspiring the Malay Proclamation has received an extraordinary response from the entire Malay community throughout the country.
“Indeed, the non-partisan Malay Proclamation Movement opens its doors widely to any spirited Malay individual who wishes to unite, regardless of their political ideologies.
“The Secretariat of the Malay Proclamation will develop an effort to fully unite the entire Malay community and identify all the polemics and problems that have plagued us for so long, while introducing solutions based on the ‘rights’ of the Malay people as enshrined in the Federal Constitution,” he said.
Two Malaysian former PMs ready to team up once again
Last Month, it was reported that Both Dr.M and Muhyiddin are willing to collaborate to “achieve the same goals”, which is the effort to “fight for the fate of the Malays”, besides rejecting individuals involved in corruption or criminal misconduct.
Mahathir mentioned that it is difficult for him to cooperate with current PM Anwar Ibrahim due to their different struggles.
“I am ready to collaborate with those who understand the major problems faced by the Malays,” Dr. M emphasised.
In response, Muhyiddin Yassin has stated that he welcomes Dr. M’s statement and he is ready to collaborate with all Malay and Islamic leaders, including Dr Mahathir.
“I am aware that the recent political developments have placed the Malays and Islam in this country at a bitter crossroads.”
“Therefore, as a Muslim, I personally am ready to collaborate with all Malay and Islamic leaders, including Tun Dr Mahathir, in the struggle to defend our religion, race, and country.”
As Malaysia’s fourth PM, Mahathir held his premiership from 1981 to 2003, during which time the Barisan National coalition achieved an undeniable two-thirds majority.
In 2015, Mahathir called for the resignation of BN’s chairman and then-PM Najib Razik over the 1MDB corruption scandal. He left UMNO the following year and founded the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (BERSATU).
Mahathir officially joined the opposition coalition Pakatan Harapan (PH) and won Malaysia’s 14th General Election. He once again led the government as the country’s seventh prime minister for 22 months, from May 2018 until February 2020.
Mahathir was expelled from Bersatu following a change in government through the Sheraton Move, which saw the PH government collapse and being replaced by the PN government led by Muhyiddin.
Muhyiddin led BERSATU departed from the Pakatan Harapan(PH) coalition and joined forces with Barisan Nasional (BN) and PAS to form a new government coalition, which appointed him as 8th Prime Minister and held the position for 17 months, from 2020 to 2021.
After his tenure, Mahathir announced the formation of a new political party, the Homeland Fighters’ Party, but he failed to defend his seat in the Langkawi constituency during the 15th Malaysia General Election, losing by a significant margin.
On 25 February 2023, Mahathir and 13 former PEJUANG members joined Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia (Putra) after leaving PEJUANG on 10 February.
