‘Dr M’s statement reflects Umno’s efforts’

SEREMBAN: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s statement that Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) will replace Umno in safeguarding the interests of Malays has indirectly recognised Umno's efforts all this while.

Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said the PPBM chairman had made the statement because he realised that all this while, Umno had contributed a lot to uphold the Malay rights in the country.

“Dr Mahathir knows Umno has done a lot in protecting Malay interests.

“That is why PPBM wants to replace Umno.

“If Umno did not play its role in upholding the Malay rights, then there is no need to replace us,” Mohamad told NSTP here yesterday.

Dr Mahathir, who is prime minister, recently claimed that PPBM would replace Umno in protecting and safeguarding Malay rights in this country.

Dr Mahathir had said the role was guaranteed as he was the leader of PPBM in the Pakatan Harapan government, which enabled PH to administer the government.

Mohamad said even though Umno was now the opposition, the party would never stop protecting Malay rights and would continue playing the role effectively.

“We are not the government. Therefore, we will not make the

...Umno will always observe and protest against any government policies that threaten Malay rights. DATUK SERI MOHAMAD HASAN

Umno deputy president

policies. But Umno will always observe and protest against any government policies that threaten Malay rights.

“But if the policies are good for Malays, we will support it. There will be no issue about PPBM replacing Umno because we have an important role in observing the government’s actions.”