Dr Mahathir Mohamad is concerned about the Malays, whom he claims have lost political and economic control.
To address this alleged imbalance and rescue the race, the nonagenarian chose Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia (Putra) as his new platform to champion Malay rights.
However, the former premier said the interests of other races would not be ignored.
"Although I’m already 97, my heart is still for the struggle of the Malays, who are now facing more problems than the other races. This is not about racism.
"We need to see the Malays getting their share in our country, as now they do not control the economy and politics. If we do not save the Malays, our country will be beset with problems,” he was quoted as saying by Bernama.
Mahathir was speaking at a press conference after receiving his membership card and appointment as Putra adviser from its president Ibrahim Ali in Putrajaya this afternoon.
On Feb 10, Mahathir announced that he and 12 others would be quitting Pejuang, which he founded.
This was after Pejuang, which is led by the former premier’s son Mukhriz, severed ties with Gerakan Tanah Air.
In the last general election, Mahathir and his son failed to defend their respective Parliament seats and lost their deposits.
No decision on contesting in state polls
Meanwhile, Mahathir said Putra has not decided on whether to contest in the upcoming six state elections.
"We will consider but we are facing many problems. We do not have money; we do not want elections to be dominated by only those with money,” he added.
Speaking at a forum yesterday, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang disclosed that he had met Mahathir after last November’s national polls.
“He (Mahathir) invited me to his house. He was very worried because of the election (GE15). Although Perikatan Nasional succeeded in winning the Malay and Muslim votes, (Pakatan) Harapan (formed the government) by winning the non-Muslim vote.
"Non-Muslim turnout was 98 percent while Muslim turnout was only 68 percent. This is worrying," he said.
According to Putra deputy president Mohd Khalid Yunus, since news broke that Mahathir was prepared to join Putra, the party received more than 1,000 new applications.
He also said Putra had set March 7 to April 6 for holding divisional general meetings, May 7 for the central delegates conference and April 8 for the leadership election. - Mkini
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