DEVIL KNOWS ALL: Pas & PKR the cause of Malay disunity - Dr M

BUKIT MERTAJAM- Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad characterised Pas as being the main cause of Malay disunity.

He also labelled Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) as the second political party to further divide the Malay community, "crushing them to the point they become beggars".

"We are not here to take away the rights of the Chinese or Indians, but rather to work together with them, as people who are of equal standing, not as beggars," he said in his speech to some 5,000 Barisan Nasional supporters at a gathering at the Permatang Pauh commercial centre here tonight.

Also present were Permatang Pauh Umno division chief Datuk Abdul Jalil Abdul Majid and BN candidates Dr Mazlan Ismail (Permatang Pauh parliamentary), Datuk Mohammad Nasir Abdullah (Seberang Jaya state) and Anuar Faisal Yahaya (Permatang Pasir state).

Recalling Umno's history, Dr Mahathir said when the party was first established, the Malays in Umno were very strong and respected by everyone, including the British, as they were united.

"Back then, there were many Umno members who were ulamas, and when they were not happy about not getting a seat in parliament, as well as not getting the title of Yang Berhormat, they left Umno and set up Pas.

"It was then the Malays began to split into two groups," he said.

He reminded the Malays that strength came from being united, and urged them to close ranks.

"We want to be on equal standing with other races. That is all we want.

"Let us not be divided. Let us throw our support behind all BN candidates, regardless of who they are," he said.

Dr Mahathir also reminded that Permatang Pauh was not Anwar's property, that it belonged to the people there, and this drew a rapturous response from his audience.

- New Straits Times