PH will last, says Kit Siang after show of unity by rival Malay leaders

Dr Mahathir Mohamad, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang and Umno’s Annuar Musa and Hishammuddin Hussein raise their fists with other leaders in a show of Malay unity at a gathering in Shah Alam yesterday.

PETALING JAYA: DAP’s Lim Kit Siang today dismissed speculation of a break-up in the ruling coalition, a day after Umno and PAS leaders joined Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad in a show of Malay unity at a congress which saw speakers calling for greater Malay representation in the present government.

“Those who had hoped that the Malay Dignity Congress would help to destroy the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government are most disappointed, and Malaysians, regardless of race, religion or region, must continue to be united, loyal to the principles of the constitution and Rukunegara, patriotic, mature, visionary about Malaysia becoming a top world-class nation and never lose hope in resetting nation-building policies to achieve a New Malaysia,” Lim said in a statement today.

Adding that the PH government “intends to last the full term”, he urged coalition MPs to show unity as the Dewan Rakyat convenes again today.

He also described as “downright ludicrous and stupid” media speculation that no-confidence votes would be tabled in the last three parliamentary meetings.

“The four-party coalition has not only survived intact through the first few months, it has gone on to mark its 17th month in office short of two days, and is set to complete its full five-year term before the 15th general election in 2023,” he said.

Yesterday, Mahathir joined rival politicians from Malay-based political parties and groups at the Malay Dignity Congress jointly organised by public universities.

The gathering, attended by about 5,000 in Shah Alam, saw some speakers criticising non-Malays “who broke their social contract” while others called for laws to ensure that only Malays occupy top government posts.

Lim said the congress’ resolutions on politics, economy, religion and education had ignored the “infamy, ignominy and iniquity of Malaysia as a global kleptocracy for almost a decade”.

“Malaysia becoming a global kleptocracy is in fact the single factor which caused the dignity of both the Malays and Malaysia to reached the lowest ebb in history, yet there is no mention whatsoever about it,” he said. - FMT