Don’t be arrogant towards call to unite Malay parties - Hisham

Sembrong MP Hishammuddin Hussein has cautioned Malay-based parties against taking an arrogant view of Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s call to unite under Bersatu.

Hishammuddin said the matter, which concerns racial and religious unity, is important and should be considered carefully.

He added that other relevant parties should first wait to gauge how Bersatu’s fellow Pakatan Harapan component parties responded to the proposal at its presidential council meeting later today.

“I will wait and see PKR’s and DAP’s stance.

“I remind all parties linked to the unity of the Malays not to be arrogant as others are watching, including the party that offered cooperation in discussing this unity, which is important for the Malays.

“And what of the unification of other races in the future? All sentiments must be taken into account,” the former Umno vice-president told reporters at the Parliament lobby today.

'Up to Umno to decide'

Hishammuddin added that it was up to Umno to decide on whether to take up Mahathir’s offer.

Even so, he said, the people and the country are of paramount importance and should be taken into consideration.

“So, any offer to unite (the Malays) must take this into account. Enough politicking,” he said.

Last Friday, Mahathir called on Malay-based parties to join his party Bersatu to unite the community.

He reasoned that the community was becoming fragmented due to the presence of too many Malay-based parties, which would eventually make electoral success more elusive.

Mahathir is slated to brief Harapan leaders on his call at the coalition’s presidential council meeting later today. - Mkini