Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has declined an invitation to form a new government with Umno and PAS.
He said since Malaysia is multiracial, any government formed must comprise different races and not just representatives of a single race.
“We are not interested in forming a new government. We are aware our country is multiracial and the government, from the time of Merdeka til now, consists of members from all races.
“That is the reality we cannot dismiss... and all races have rights in our country,” he told a press conference at the Parliament lobby this afternoon.
Yesterday, Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan (below) invited Mahathir to form a unity government if the latter was serious about the welfare of the Malays and Islam.
The Rantau MP suggested the new government be formed together with BN and PAS as well as parties in Sabah and Sarawak.
Mahathir currently is the chairperson of Pakatan Harapan's Malay-based component party Bersatu.
Mohamad's invitation comes in the wake of the Malay Dignity Congress, which was attended by both Harapan as well as Umno and PAS leaders.
During a retreat for Harapan lawmakers last week, a survey revealed that Harapan's popularity had plummeted to 35 percent from the 87 percent recorded during the last general election.
The survey by Merdeka Centre noted that Harapan's popularity with Chinese and Indian voters had dropped to 41 percent as of August, while 30 percent of Malay voters still supported the coalition.
Against this bleak backdrop, Bersatu would be defending its Tanjung Piai parliamentary seat in Johor in a by-election on Nov 16.
The seat fell vacant following the death of Dr Md Farid Md Rafik, who defeated MCA's Wee Jeck Seng with a wafer-thin majority of 534 votes in the last general election.
On Sept 14, Umno and PAS formalised their alliance, which proved to be successful in three previous by-elections – Cameron Highlands, Semenyih and Rantau.
Bersatu has the least number of parliamentary seats among Harapan parties with 26, whereas Umno has 38 and PAS 18. MCA and MIC have a single seat each. There are also two independent MPs.
In Sabah, Warisan, which is aligned to Harapan, controls eight parliamentary seats, DAP and PKR three each. Whereas in Sarawak, Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) comprising former BN component parties, has 19 parliamentary seats.
Meanwhile, PKR has the largest number of parliamentary seats with 50 but the infighting in the party could witness several lawmakers switching camps if a new alliance is formed. DAP has 42 and Amanah, 11.
- Mkini
Never ever trust this person. He is a Machiavellian until the end. He wear many hats to remain in power also a by election is in the corner. He is here to divide and rule. He wants support now that many have attacked him. Don't get caught in his game. He is making this remark just to pacify the nons...boleh jalanlah!
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