KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is a multi-racial country and all communities have rights here, says Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
The prime minister said this when he shot down a suggestion by Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan to strike a political coalition with Umno and PAS in order to strengthen the Malay and Muslim position in government.
“This proposal would not suit Malaysia’s multiracial character,” he told reporters in Parliament today.
Mohamad had reportedly said that if Mahathir was sincere about fighting for Malay dignity as he claimed during the recent Malay Dignity Congress in Shah Alam, he should have no problem accommodating Umno and PAS in the present administration.
“I think Umno and PAS should have no problems accepting Mahathir and PPBM in their Malay agenda. The problem today is Mahathir is only looking from his own point of view,” Mohamad had said in a statement.
Mohamad, who is also Rantau assemblyman, said the new government could consist of parties from Sabah and Sarawak.
He also called for PAS and Umno to be given a role in restoring the country, saying they do not want to be “just passengers”.
“It’s up to Mahathir to make a decision, because the truth is many Malays have made the choice to reject PH,” he said.
