KUALA LUMPUR – Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has repudiated the newly established Gerakan Tanah Air (GTA), an all-Malay-Muslim coalition led by former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Anwar said the move adds little to no value in addressing corruption within the political system as well as in tackling corrupt leaders running rampant in the country.
The PKR president and Port Dickson MP also chided Dr Mahathir, who is chairman of Pejuang, for failing to defend the Malay community during his 22-month tenure as prime minister under Pakatan Harapan (PH).
“I do not support this initiative, because if he really wanted to defend Muslims and Malays, he had over 22 months to do so. He could have helped.
“But the Malays who were chosen did not actually represent Malay sentiments.
“I think the Malays should now realise that the problem in this country is leaders, whether Malay or non-Malay, who are corrupt, out to enrich their children and their families and then, when they are desperate, they plead for the support of the Malays or their respective races,” he said to reporters in Parliament today.
Mahathir, 97, was prime minister from May 2018 to March 2020, when he was then chairman of Bersatu and PH. He quit Bersatu soon thereafter and formed Pejuang in August 2020.
Anwar stressed that he has always remained consistent in fighting for good governance and calling out corrupt practices and leaders.
“Investigate all who have enriched themselves and their families wrongfully through public funds,” he said.
Anwar also urged Malays who are already struggling with economic woes and feel that they are oppressed not to put their trust in corrupt leaders.
Earlier today, Dr Mahathir announced a new Malay-Muslim-centric political coalition, GTA, which is aimed to reunite the Malay community and provide a stable political environment.
GTA will comprise of political parties such as Pejuang, Berjasa, Putra and National Indian Muslim Alliance Party. Membership is limited only to Malay-Muslims. – The Vibes, August 4, 2022
