Dr M rallying anti-Anwar groups with ‘Malay Proclamation’, say analysts
Mahathir is simply gathering all the “anti-Anwar” groups to show how powerful they could be when they band together.
(FMT) – The signing of Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s “Malay Proclamation” by various opposition party leaders is more likely an attempt to rally those who are against Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim ahead of the state elections, say analysts.
Awang Azman Pawi of Universiti Malaya said bringing together all the “anti-Anwar” groups would strengthen the opposition’s influence among the Malay voters.
“With this Malay Proclamation, the opposition can cultivate the Malay sentiments, especially among their staunch supporters in Kelantan, Terengganu and Kedah,” he told FMT.
Similarly, James Chin of University of Tasmania said Mahathir is simply gathering all the “anti-Anwar” groups to show how powerful they could be when they band together.
“They all share the same aim, which is to bring down Anwar. They can test this during the upcoming six state elections,” he said.
Yesterday, it was reported that PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang and several leaders from the party signed the proclamation after a meeting with Mahathir.
Three Bersatu leaders – its deputy president Ahmad Faizal Azumu, information chief Razali Idris and Supreme Council member Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid – have also signed the document in their personal capacity.
Last week, Mahathir, who was once critical of PAS, said the people should not fear the “green wave” of support for Perikatan Nasional, pointing out that Malaysia saw rapid development when it was governed by a Malay-majority government for 60 years.
Meanwhile, Tunku Mohar Mokhtar of the International Islamic University Malaysia said one should be wary of the proclamation signings as they could lead to an attempt to overthrow the unity government.
However, he said the unity government should not “lose sleep” over the matter as it would not be easy to repeat the Sheraton Move.
“The situation today is different because there is now the anti-hopping law and a memorandum of understanding signed by component parties in the unity government,” he said.
