Mahathir Forms New Independent Party to “Champion Malay Rights & Fight Corruption”

By Karissa Lund • 07 Aug 2020 in News

Thirsty for JUICE content? Quench your cravings on our Instagram, TikTok and WhatsApp

As the country’s relentless power struggle continues, Malaysia’s former Prime Minister Tun Mahathir Mohamad has launched another Malay-based political party today. This time around, the party will not align with either of the two largest blocs in Parliament which are Pakatan Harapan and Perikatan Nasional.

According to Straits Times, 95-year-old Mahathir said he would tentatively chair the still nameless party while his son, Mukhriz Mahathir, would be president. He said the necessary registration papers have yet to be submitted, but that this would be done as soon as possible.

“We will be a third force and not be a part of the Perikatan Nasional or Pakatan Harapan,” Mahathir said, referring to the ruling and opposition coalitions.

Mahathir, who has felled three prime ministers in seven decades and occupied the hot seat twice himself, also said, “I know there are already too many Malay political parties, but the other (Malay) parties have deviated from their original struggles.”

“Our objective remains to eradicate kleptocracy and corruption… We find that the Malay parties in the past always won two-thirds majority [in parliament]. But now under this new leadership, they are more interested in using their authority to take money for themselves,” he continued.

LANGSUNG | Sidang Media YABhg. Tun Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad

Tonton di:https://t.co/CZYVAm2MTL pic.twitter.com/rM6iBu8WWP

— Dr Mahathir Mohamad (@chedetofficial) August 7, 2020

According to SCMP, while the party will predominantly concerns itself with Malay issues, it will also champion the interests of the country’s minority groups.

“We are very aware that we are a multiracial country… This party will be inclusive and moderate and will demonstrate to the other ethnic groups that the Malays are not treasonous, that we keep our promises, and that we will not turn away sincere and principled cooperation,” Mahathir said at the press conference.

Mahathir’s announcement follows last Friday’s decision by the High Court to allow the application by current Prime Minister and Bersatu-President, Tan Sri Muhyiddin, and three others to strike out a suit by Mahathir and four other MPs to challenge their termination from Bersatu.

Watch the full press conference below: