Najib blames Anwar and Mahathir for race woes
Published on: Friday, October 14, 2016
Kuala Lumpur: Ex-Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his former deputy, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, are responsible for much of the divisiveness currently plaguing Malaysian politics, said Datuk Seri Najib Razak.In an undated voice recording released by Astro Awani, the Prime Minister said worsening race relations in the country and the current split in the Malay community could be traced back to actions by both individuals in two phases."The first phase was in 2008, when the opposition leader began playing up racial issues. ADVERTISEMENT He began challenging the Federal Constitution.. and used it as a political issue to gain votes," Najib said.This development caused local politics to become driven by race following Election 2008, Najib said before adding that Malaysians had prior to that lived in harmony.The second phase was when a "former leader" began in 2016 to further divide the Malay community by forming yet another political party.Najib did not identify the leader in question, but Dr Mahathir established Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia this year with the express purpose of wresting Malay support away from Umno.ADVERTISEMENT "The two leaders responsible for phases one and two of the division are now seen shaking hands. "We can already assume what they plan to do to the country next in the third phase, which is why it is imperative that the 1Malaysia agenda be continued."
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Dr Mahathir and Anwar are apparently making peace after the 16 years of acrimony that began when the former sacked the latter from the government in 1998 and accused him of sodomy.The two former nemeses met in court last month, and Dr Mahathir has since claimed to have "buried the hatchet" with Anwar.Dr Mahathir is soliciting Anwar's support to form a "grand coalition" of opposition parties that would include the former's fledgling PPBM.Meanwhile, Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak said the Government could have easily erased Dr Mahathir's legacy by demolishing the iconic Petronas Twin Towers if it wanted to.The Communications and Multimedia Minister said this in response to the former Prime Minister's allegation that the Government wants to erase his legacy by killing off his brainchild, national carmaker Proton.Salleh said if that is true, there are numerous other legacies of Dr Mahathir that could have been erased."If the Government wanted to erase his legacy, we could have just demolished KLCC."But the Government today always prioritises the people and develops infrastructure for the benefit of everyone, not just a few like what happened during his tenure," he was quoted as saying by Barisan Nasional backbenchers' news portal bnbbc.com.On Thursday, Dr Mahathir had claimed that the Government is attempting to erase his name from Proton by preventing its staff from forging any cooperation with his supporters."They cannot associate my name with Proton. It needs to be sold 100pc to foreigners so that the local automotive industry can be eliminated."Only imported cars will be allowed to be sold in Malaysia. They don't want anything to do with me. They'd rather see the industry destroyed as long as Najib is happy," he said.Although Salleh admitted that Dr Mahathir had played an important role in Proton, he denied that the Government had any intention to end the local car industry.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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He said the Government gave a loan injection of RM1.5bil to Proton last April to help it pay its vendors.Dr Mahathir resigned as Proton Chairman last March.