KUALA LUMPUR, June 2 – Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has expressed his readiness to work alongside Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, the Chairman of the National Alliance (PN), if both parties share the same objectives. This statement from the former Prime Minister suggests a potential reconciliation after more than three years of strained relations. In an interview with MalaysiaNow, Tun Mahathir emphasized that the fight for the welfare of the Malay community should be a primary focus, along with the rejection of individuals involved in corruption or criminal misconduct.
He acknowledged that the division within the Malay community, driven by party politics, hinders the ability of Malay political parties to address prevailing issues effectively. “We want to cooperate, but we must determine the common goal. The fragmentation within the Malays has led to numerous parties, resulting in a loss of power. Without power, we cannot rectify the situation that adversely affects the Malays. That’s why we need to unite,” stated Tun Mahathir during an exclusive interview conducted in Putrajaya on Wednesday.
The United Party, led by Muhyiddin, was established in 2016 after both he and several UMNO leaders were expelled from the party due to their public criticism of the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) issue. Bersatu was subsequently formed in collaboration with Tun Mahathir, who was appointed as its Chairman. The party joined the Pakatan Harapan (PH) political coalition, which successfully defeated the Barisan Nasional (BN) in the 14th General Election (GE14) in 2018. However, two years later, Tun Mahathir was ousted from Bersatu following a change of government through the ‘Sheraton Move.’
This move led to the downfall of the PH government and the establishment of a PN government under the leadership of Muhyiddin. Tun Mahathir’s openness to collaboration with Muhyiddin reflects the evolving political landscape and highlights the importance of shared goals in working towards the betterment of the Malay community. As political dynamics continue to unfold, the potential reunion of these two prominent figures could shape the future direction of Malaysian politics.
