Leading up to the start of campaigning for state polls this weekend, former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad and PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang have chosen Selangor - Pakatan Harapan's frontline state - as the stage for their second joint appearance.
Speaking as guests at a town hall in i-Central City Shah Alam last night, the duo reminded Malay-Muslims of the importance of their votes to reclaim political power.
Asked about his worries for the Malays, Mahathir claimed that the community’s generous spirit has led to the alleged situation where non-Malays have "laid their stakes" on a country that originally belonged to the Malays.
"This is what's happening today," claimed Mahathir who appeared alongside Hadi on the panel hosted by the Malay Proclamation secretariat, which he is leading, as well as PAS-linked NGO, Geng Ustaz.
The former Pejuang leader repeated his claims that many non-Malays in Malaysia refused to assimilate with the "true land owners", as they rejected the Malay language and culture, unlike those living in countries such as Indonesia or Thailand.
"That's why we must defend our position as the owner of Tanah Melayu.
"If we don't go out to vote, if we don't support the Malays (candidates), our country will no longer be Tanah Melayu," claimed the nonagenarian.
Mahathir said although the Malays are by nature generous to others, the time has come for them to be less so.
Meanwhile, Hadi said it is a must for all Muslims to vote, reminding the community that they will be questioned in the afterlife over their choice of leaders.
"Today, we can see many Muslim identities lost because we have lost our political power," he claimed.
The Marang MP reiterated that it is also a must for Muslims to fight for political power, and in the case of PAS, through participation in elections as part of a democracy.
"PAS has chosen the peaceful path, even when there are other countries that took a more hardline approach against their governments, we chose democracy," said Hadi.
Mahathir made his debut on a PAS stage in Kelantan last weekend, as part of his Malay Proclamation agenda to unite the Malay votes for Perikatan Nasional, against Harapan and BN. - Mkini
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