KUALA LUMPUR – The four-eyed meeting between former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and his predecessor Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad last night saw the duo agree to increase support for Perikatan Nasional (PN) in the upcoming state elections.
In a Facebook post today, Perikatan Nasional chairman Muhyiddin said the meeting was conducted in a “friendly atmosphere” of mutual respect and featured discussions on issues affecting Malays.
“Without specifically touching on the Malay Proclamation, we discussed at length the position and future of the Malays.
“In principle, we have agreed to strengthen Malay unity and increase support for PN, especially in light of the elections in six states,” Muhyiddin said in the post, where he also shared photos of his visit to the former Pejuang chairman’s home.
This comes after Pejuang president Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir, the son of 97-year-old Dr Mahathir, said that the Malay-based party is now optimistic about the upcoming state elections on August 12, provided it is allowed to collaborate with PN.
He also said that there is “optimism and hope” following last night’s meeting between Muhyiddin and Dr Mahathir, asserting that there might be a “change of heart” by PN over its decision to turn away Pejuang’s request to enter the Bersatu-led coalition.
In March, the PN supreme council had snubbed Pejuang’s attempt to join the coalition after Mukhriz had expressed the party’s hopes to join forces.
Earlier today, former Federal Territories Pejuang chief and Malay Proclamation secretariat chairman Datuk Seri Khairuddin Abu Hassan revealed that Muhyiddin and Dr Mahathir had met for nearly two hours last night.
The meeting, Khairuddin said, gave the Malay-Muslim community “hope” as the two political leaders are willing to set aside their differences “to ensure the continuation of the struggle to elevate the nation’s standing on this blessed earth”.
“The Malay Proclamation movement is not based on affiliations with any parties, but the Malay struggle and spirit. We only want to talk about…solving Malay problems based on Malay rights enshrined in the federal constitution,” Khairuddin added.
The meeting between Muhyiddin and Dr Mahathir is believed to be the first since the infamous Sheraton Move in February 2020, which saw the collapse of the latter’s federal administration followed by the former taking over as prime minister later that year.
Previously, it was reported that several PN leaders, including PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang, had signed the Malay Proclamation in their personal capacities.
Hadi had said then that his meetings with long-time rival Dr Mahathir were intended to enhance Malay political dominance in the country. – The Vibes, July 5, 2023
