The former prime minister warned that this could result in Malays losing all their rights and ownership, and forcing them to become even more dependent on others.
“In reality, we are still the poorest community in this country. We do not seek to grab the rights of others... we only seek our rights.
“But if we are split, we become weak, and then our properties would be owned by others,” he told a press conference today.
Dr Mahathir was commenting on yesterday’s launch of Jati, a Muslim NGO led by former PAS leader Datuk Hasan Ali, which seeks to become the “saviours of the faith” by defending Islam, Malay rights and Malay Rulers (IMR).
Dr Mahathir, who is patron to Malay rights group Perkasa, said Hasan should explain in detail Jati’s nature and state whether it is political or purely religious. He then reiterated his concern over more divisions in the Malay community.
“Maybe it (Jati) is to explain religion, then he could do so, but I do not like anymore parties that split up the Malays who are already split in three... now, four, five, six... until they become a minority,” he warned.
Jati is the latest in a string of Malay and Muslim NGOs formed since Election 2008 that saw Barisan Nasional (BN) ceding its customary two-thirds majority in Parliament and five state governments.
Dr Mahathir appeared to agree, however, with Perak Mufti Tan Sri Harussani Zakaria’s assertion during Jati’s launch yesterday that Malays must defend their land and rights as, at present, the community held less than 40 per cent of the country’s real estate.
“Well, the Malays keep on selling their land. This is a very bad habit.
“But the main thing is, because they are poor, then the only way they can get money is by selling their land. But unfortunately, if they do that, later on they will have no land ownership and they will have to depend on others,” Dr Mahathir said.
