Dr M in cycle of failed political experiments, says Umno man
Dr Mahathir Mohamad launched the 'Malay secretariat committee' yesterday with Perikatan Nasional leaders.
PETALING JAYA : Dr Mahathir Mohamad's new platform to unite the Malays, in which he has invited Umno members to join, is nothing more than part of a repeated cycle of failed political experiments, says an Umno leader.
Kedah Umno information chief Shaiful Hazizy Zainol Abidin said the former prime minister has repeatedly failed to unite the Malays through other political platforms in the past, including Gerakan Tanah Air (GTA).
'Malay politics cannot be built on nostalgic rhetoric and repeated attempts to form new, loosely structured coalitions without a clear struggle or foundation.
'What we need today is not another splinter group but a determination to strengthen the existing political institutions that have proven their service to the Malays and nation,' Shaiful told FMT.
GTA, which at the time also comprised Mahathir's former party Pejuang, saw all of its candidates losing their deposits in the 2022 general election (GE15). This included the former prime minister.
The loose coalition of political parties, NGOs and professionals was established ahead of GE15 but folded a year later after Mahathir, its founding chairman, admitted that the movement was no longer functioning.
Prior to that, Mahathir had founded Pejuang with other former Bersatu leaders but left the party in February 2023.
Yesterday, Mahathir invited Umno members to join his 'Malay secretariat committee', formed in hopes of uniting the Malays and 'restoring Malay power' in government.
He said the coalition, which includes PAS and Bersatu, is not a formal political party for now, but a broad umbrella to safeguard the political and economic future of the Malays.
Commenting on this, former law minister Zaid Ibrahim said such a movement should be led by a new group of leaders under the age of 50, with proven success in their respective fields, whether politics, business, academia, civil society or entrepreneurship.
However, Shaiful rubbished Zaid's proposal, saying it gave the impression that the Malays had no choice but to continue being subjects of failed political experiments.
He added that Zaid's proposed 'leadership cohort' would get zero trust from Malays on the ground or consistent political loyalty.
'The Malays are not forgetful. They still remember his political history that was constantly changing directions and often rejected the fundamentals of the Malay struggle,' he said.
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