Talk of unity govt resurfaces as Dr M meets Ku Li, Mat Sabu, religious affairs minister
The former prime minister held separate meetings with the three figures recently.
PETALING JAYA: Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad is said to be continuing efforts to form a unity government.
He recently met MPs in the government and opposition blocs over this.
In a post from a pro-Mahathir Facebook page, the Langkawi MP is said to have met with Umno advisory board chairman Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah on Oct 26, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri on Oct 27 and Amanah president Mohamad Sabu or Mat Sabu on Oct 28.
A source close to the Gua Musang MP, better known as Ku Li, confirmed the meeting with Mahathir to FMT, saying the two veteran politicians had indeed met on Oct 26.
Another source close to Mahathir told FMT that the proposal to form a unity government was seen to be one of the ways to continue “moving forward” while staying in line with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s advice recently.
“It’s a proposal in the direction of a unity government. He (Mahathir) repeated what he has said before this. It is one of the ways to continue moving forward while following the Agong’s advice.”
However, the source said Mahathir did not specify how this unity government would be formed, as it depended on the decision and readiness of each party to take part in forming this new government.
“Mahathir was only talking (about it). How they want to do it depends on them.”
Mahathir had previously mooted a unity government in February after assuming the role of interim prime minister following his resignation. He said he believed this was the way to resolve the political turmoil then, without siding with any one party.
He had said that many politicians and parties were too focused on politics, causing them to forget that the country was facing economic challenges and also a public health crisis.
Stay current - Follow FMT on WhatsApp, Google news and Telegram
On Sunday, the King reminded politicians to stop all forms of “politicking” that could threaten the nation’s administration, saying there was no need for MPs to continue any irresponsible action that could threaten the stability of the current government.