Hasan's JATI can turn Malays into a "minority in their own country", says Dr M

SHAH ALAM, — Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad expressed worry today that the mushrooming of Malay and Muslim rights groups could further erode Malay unity and turn the community into a “minority” in their own country.

The former prime minister warned that this could result in Malays losing all their rights and ownership, and forcing them to become even more dependent on others.

“In reality, we are still the poorest community in this country. We do not seek to grab the rights of others... we only seek our rights.

“But if we are split, we become weak, and then our properties would be owned by others,” he told a press conference today.

Dr Mahathir was commenting on yesterday’s launch of Jati, a Muslim NGO led by former PAS leader Datuk Hasan Ali, which seeks to become the “saviours of the faith” by defending Islam, Malay rights and Malay Rulers (IMR).

Dr Mahathir, who is patron to Malay rights group Perkasa, said Hasan should explain in detail Jati’s nature and state whether it is political or purely religious. He then reiterated his concern over more divisions in the Malay community.

“Maybe it (Jati) is to explain religion, then he could do so, but I do not like anymore parties that split up the Malays who are already split in three... now, four, five, six... until they become a minority,” he warned.

-Themalaysianinsider