Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has urged that priority be given to uniting the Malay community rather than competing for the position of Prime Minister.
Dr Mahathir stated that the chance for someone to become Prime Minister depends entirely on the outcome of the upcoming General Election (GE), where a party must win at least 112 seats to form the government.
“A candidate cannot become Prime Minister if their party does not win 112 seats. To win, the party needs to field more than 112 candidates. Other parties will also contest against them. It’s unlikely the party will secure 112 seats.
“So, there’s no need to fight over who becomes the Prime Minister candidate. Instead, focus on ensuring Malay unity,” he wrote on Facebook on Wednesday.
Previously, the Annual General Assembly of the Malaysian United Indigenous Party (Bersatu), which ended on September 7, passed a motion to nominate its President, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, as the 11th Prime Minister candidate.
On Monday, Sinar Harian reported that PAS President Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang, 77, openly acknowledged that his age and health prevent him from being considered for the 11th Prime Minister, but emphasized that the party is ready to lead Malaysia if Perikatan Nasional (PN) wins GE16.
Following Abdul Hadi’s statement, the name of Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, 54, has gained attention as a younger PAS figure potentially considered for Prime Minister, alongside Secretary-General Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan, since Deputy President Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, 65, has also declined nomination.
Dr Mahathir emphasized that the selection of a Prime Minister candidate should ideally occur only after winning the election. At this stage, he said, it is more important for parties to focus on Malay unity first.
“Only if the Malays are united can victory be achieved. Once the win is secured, then the Prime Minister choice can be made. Everyone with talent can contest for Prime Minister,” he said.
