KUALA LUMPUR – An event featuring Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad speaking on Malays losing power scheduled for tomorrow is now cancelled after being booted out of its venue.
The Proklamasi Orang Melayu gathering, at which the elder statesman was to decry the alleged loss of Malay power to a multiracial government, had seen its original venue at Hotel Impiana in the capital changed to the Sime Darby Convention Centre in Bukit Kiara.
However, a statement by the Proklamasi Orang Melayu Secretariat today said the management of the second venue had cancelled the booking for the event.
“The management of the hall cancelled our booking at 9pm last night, 24 hours before the event was scheduled to be held. The management did not state any reason for the cancellation,” said the secretariat.
It said that its earlier booking at the first venue also faced difficulties, forcing the event to change locations.
The secretariat said it would make another announcement on the gathering in due time.
The statement described the gathering as “organised by Malay volunteers who care about the future of their race”.
In promotional posters for the event, 97-year-old Dr Mahathir reiterated his long-held view that Malays were losing power in the country.
He also said the current government, with ministers of different races, would not address the Malays’ problems, even though it was led by a Malay.
“It is time we reach a stand to defend the continuity of our race and our land,” the two-time former prime minister said.
Though the event was not specifically referenced by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the prime minister yesterday said he had ordered security forces to be on alert against any racial provocation.
Anwar, who also spoke at a special PKR congress today, mentioned threats and challenges to his government, including in the form of “an assembly” besides threats to stop him from acting on past corruption by those previously in government. – The Vibes, March 18, 2023
