Malays may lose political power, warns Muhyiddin

(Bernama)  MUAR: Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin reminded the Malays that they face the possibility of losing political power if they continue to be divided.

He said that the political power held by the Malays since the country gained independence was crucial because it had enabled them to progress in various fields.

“That’s why we must be united to ensure that the political power that we hold is maintained. If we were divided, the political power that ensures our progress in the economic field and education will be lost,” he said.

Muhyiddin, who is also Umno deputy president, said this when officiating the Maulidur Rasul and Israk Mikraj celebration organised by the Pagoh Umno division at the Kampung Parit Raja Mosque, Gersik, Monday night.

He said the Barisan Nasional government led by Umno had succeeded in turning Malaysia into a model Islamic nation in the world although Muslims accounted for only half of the country’s total population.

“Our success in developing the country to the extent that it is recognised as a model Islamic nation has impressed the other Muslim countries in the world,” he said.

In fact, he said, the government had succeeded in overcoming the poverty problem, an effort demanded by Islam, to the extent that the poverty rate had dropped from 66% at one stage previously to only three per cent currently.

Muhyiddin was confident that the Government’s objective of eradicating hardcore poverty by the end of the year could be achieved fully. – Bernama