Ex-prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his former deputy, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, are responsible for much of the divisiveness currently plaguing Malaysian politics, said Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
In an undated voice recording released by Astro Awani, the prime minister said worsening race relations in the country and the current split in the Malay community could be traced back to actions by both individuals in two phases.
“The first phase was in 2008, when the opposition leader began playing up racial issues. He began challenging the Federal Constitution.. and used it as a political issue to gain votes,” Najib said.
This development caused local politics to become driven by race following Election 2008, Najib said before adding that Malaysians had prior to that lived in harmony.
The second phase was when a “former leader” began in 2016 to further divide the Malay community by forming yet another political party.
Najib did not identify the leader in question, but Dr Mahathir established Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia this year with the express purpose of wresting Malay support away from Umno.
“The two leaders responsible for phases one and two of the division are now seen shaking hands. We can already assume what they plan to do to the country next in the third phase, which is why it is imperative that the 1Malaysia agenda be continued.”
Dr Mahathir and Anwar are apparently making peace after the 16 years of acrimony that began when the former sacked the latter from the government in 1998 and accused him of sodomy.
The two former nemeses met in court last month, and Dr Mahathir has since claimed to have “buried the hatchet” with Anwar.
Dr Mahathir is soliciting Anwar's support to form a “grand coalition” of opposition parties that would include the former's fledgling PPBM.
Source -Malay Mail Online-
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