Politics

Mahathir says will meet Muhyiddin to talk about six state elections

KUALA LUMPUR: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has confirmed he will meet Perikatan Nasional chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to talk about working together during the upcoming elections in six states.

"Muhyiddin today couldn't attend but has given his full support to the Malay Proclamation and even sent a representative.

"We will meet at some point in time. We will discuss the possibility of (our people) standing in the state elections, if that is what is wanted by all," he told reporters after a roundtable discussion on the Malay Proclamation.

Present were Pas president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang, its secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan, former Barisan Nasional secretary-general Tan Sri Annuar Musa and former Ampang member of parliament Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin.

Also there were Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia (Putra) president Datuk Dr Ibrahim Ali, Parti Pejuang Tanah Air president Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia information chief Datuk Razali Idris.

Asked about the possibility that he would seek a seat to contest, Dr Mahathir said this was unlikely as it was difficult for someone as old as himself to be accepted.

"I am old, I am senile... but I don't undertand as the Japanese and the Koreans call me (to speak to them) but here in Malaysia, people ask me to retire," he said.

On the Malay Proclamation, Dr Mahathir said the move to gather Malay parties, non-governmental organisations, individuals and former politicians was so that all could work together to solve the poverty afflicting the Malay people/

He said, among the first things, was to come up with a declaration listing 12 problems faced by Malays.

"We want them to realise that they are in a weak position and are getting weaker as time goes on. The nation's economy is now controlled by non-Malays and now, even their political power is affected.

"Therefore, we are of the view that to save the Malay people, a movement has to be started that involves everyone," he said.

Dr Mahathir stressed that the Malay Proclamation was not made to deny the rights of non-Malays or to "eradicate the Chinese".

"Don't regard this as a movement that is anti-non-Malay because we know the rights of non-Malays. They can continue to do business and get rich.

"However, we want fairness in the aggregation of wealth."

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