Dr M: I would 'choose' Umno if reputation not in shambles

Prime Minister and Pakatan Harapan chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad has turned down the idea of forming a unity government with opposition party Umno.

The chief reason being the party’s reputation of harbouring corrupt leaders.

“If the party did not merosakkan (destroy) its own name, I would choose Umno.

“But he and his friends, like (former prime minister) Najib Abdul Razak, have used Umno to make money.

“Why would I add such a party (into Harapan)?,” Mahathir said when asked about Umno secretary-general Annuar Musa’s call that he had to choose between Umno and DAP to retain power.

The unity government idea was mooted by former minister and Umno Arau MP Shahidan Kassim.

Najib is presently on trial for three 1MDB-related cases - the RM42 million SRC International case, the RM2.28 billion 1MDB case and the 1MDB audit report tampering case.

The PM nevertheless thanked Umno and PAS for supporting his leadership.

“What I know is that PAS also said they want to support me, thank you. Umno also said they want to support me, thank you. I don’t know who else does not support me.

“But if they don’t support me, they can always pass a resolution of no confidence against the prime minister, and I will abide by the rules,” he quipped.

Saddiq: unity gov’t idea ridiculous

Mahathir spoke to the media this evening after officiating the Malaysia Future Leaders School Alumni Convention at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia in Bangi, Selangor.

With him was Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, who similarly rejected the unity government idea and branded it “ridiculous”.

“It is ridiculous. We are part of Harapan. That was the coalition that won GE14, and we are here today because of Harapan.

“Let’s not forget it is the same leaders who looted from the Malaysian coffers, (and) who are now being charged in court. A combination of more than 100 charges but yet they are still leading the coalition and the very same parties,” he said when asked.

Syed Saddiq, who is the Harapan Youth chief, urged the government to remain focused on serving the people, not on forming new governments.

“If anything, I think the people are frustrated with power struggles. It is more important to focus on actual rakyat issues.

“The youth want jobs, housing and the cost of living to be handled. Let us focus on that and not on unity government or another government to be formed...

“They (the opposition) can say whatever they want, but we in government must be focused,” he elaborated. - Mkini