The “almost Malay-centric” Perikatan Nasional government will not enjoy the support of the Chinese and Indians, said former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
“When there is an election, I do not think the Chinese will support (PN),” he was quoted as saying in an interview with Malay daily Sinar Harian.
“It is certain that the Indians won’t support (PN). So, the majority (of votes) for the Malays will be reduced in the coming polls,” he said when commenting on Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s cabinet, which has only a handful of non-Malay members.
Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong and Human Resources Minister M Saravanan are the only Chinese and Indian ministers in the 31-strong line-up.
There are three Chinese deputy ministers: Lim Ban Hong (international trade and industry); Mah Hang Soon (education) and Wee Jeck Seng (primary industries).
R Santhara Kumar is deputy federal territories minister.
The Malaysian Insight reported today that there is unhappiness among the Chinese with the reduced number of Chinese ministers in Muhyiddin’s cabinet.
Chinese associations, guilds and groups told The Malaysian Insight they hoped the new PN government would put people’s interest first and that that are still uncertain of the future as there is a possibility of snap elections.
Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce vice-president Joseph Lim said the community hoped to have more Chinese in the cabinet for greater representation.
“Four is not enough and there’s only one full minister,” Lim said.
Muhyiddin assumed the premiership with the support of Malay nationalist party Umno and Islamist party PAS.
It is speculated that both these parties would push the Malay-Islam agenda to remain popular among the Malay voters.
In the interview, Dr Mahathir criticised Muhyiddin for working with allegedly corrupt Umno leaders.
“Will they accept being brought to court, being found guilty and imprisoned although they were the ones who gave Muhyiddin power? I want to see what they do next,” he said.
The Langkawi MP also dismissed requests from Muhyiddin for a meeting, and for an endorsement for the new administration.
“I want to see what he can do that I couldn’t,” said Dr Mahathir. – TMI