KUALA LUMPUR, July 10 — Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s invitation for Malay political leaders to join his Bersatu party came “a bit late”, Umno lawmaker Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said today.
The Padang Rengas MP said his Malay nationalist party had already committed itself to political cooperation with Islamist PAS.
“Maybe it is a bit late because we already agreed with PAS... and I support PAS, working with PAS,” Nazri told reporters in Parliament.
He then voiced his scepticism that the prime minister’s open call to Malay politicians will be successful, adding that the ruling party unlikely wanted an Umno loyalist like him.
“I don’t think it can happen, because they don’t want me. Bersatu doesn’t want me,” Nazri said.
Nazri said should there be talks of forming Malay unity among the MPs, it should be able to form the government.
However, the former minister said the numbers of Malay lawmakers are not enough to meet the target.
“Now, Bersatu whether they collaborate with PAS or Umno, we still cannot reach the magic 112, so what’s the point?
“I would like to welcome his [Dr Mahathir] call, but in welcoming you must form the government. There is no point in being unified if we can’t form the government.
“I would love for Dr Mahathir to come back to Umno because you those splinter parties… there is only two main parties in Malaysia, Umno and PAS. Other splinter parties, history has shown that they will fail,” said Nazri, citing defunct Malay political parties The Parti Melayu Semangat 46 or Spirit of 46 Malay Party and the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Front (Berjasa) as examples.
“And now Bersatu, PAN [Parti Amanah Negara], I don’t think they can survive,” he said.
Meanwhile, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein stood his ground that he would never leave Umno, despite several past rumours saying he would leave the party.
“I think he [Dr Mahathir] knows my position from back then. People had accused many things but I have been consistent that I will not leave the party.
“But in the context of unity of the Ummah and Islam, I think it is important to think of the best method. Before this people had not think that PAS and Umno could have form a corporation, it was impossible then. But of course, you will face all sorts of resistance,” he said.
On Monday, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said his invitation to unite the Malays under Bersatu was directed towards members of other parties, and not the party entity itself.
Prior to that, last week, the Bersatu chairman was reported to have extended his invitation to all Malay parties including Umno to unite the Malays.
In response, Hishammuddin had urged Umno’s top leaders to not dismiss any chance at political cooperation if it can unite their race.
