KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 25 ― Umno’s newest splinter force Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia has the potential to challenge the Malay nationalist party in the next national polls, Tan Sri Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah has said.
The Gua Musang MP told Barisan Nasional (BN) members not to underestimate Pribumi when it is being helmed by seasoned politicians like Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Sinar Harian reported today.
“This is a warning to all parties especially Umno. Don't take this party lightly as it can be strong.
“These are the opponents that want to challenge the strength of Umno. However, strong or not, we will see in the future,” the founder of another Umno splinter party, the now defunct Parti Semangat 46, was quoted by the Malay daily as saying in his Kelantan constituency yesterday.
Tengku Razaleigh, popularly known by his moniker Ku Li, said both Dr Mahathir and Muhyiddin still hold considerable sway among voters and were no “pushover”.
Tengku Razaleigh had founded Semangat 46 in 1989 after losing to Dr Mahathir in a bitter fight for control of Umno.
Although the party had some success, it was eventually disbanded in 1996 and many of its members — including Tengku Razaleigh — eventually returned to Umno.
