PUTRAJAYA – Former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has warned that divisions among Malay leaders will hurt their chances of becoming Prime Minister.
In a post on his official social media on Friday, he stressed that the ambition to become Prime Minister will not be achieved if Malay-based parties continue to split and contest against one another in general elections (GE).
“You will not become prime minister,” he said in a statement.
Dr Mahathir said some leaders still believe that becoming a party president is the main pathway to being appointed Prime Minister, but in reality, victory in a general election is the true deciding factor.
“Yet there are still leaders who believe that to become Prime Minister, one must first be the head of their party,” he said.
Dr Mahathir added that fragmentation into multiple parties prevents any single one from securing victory, thus eliminating the chance to form a government.
“If you do not win the general election, it is impossible to become Prime Minister even if you have the support of the party you lead,” he said.
In that regard, he questioned the value of becoming a party leader if one fails to deliver victory for their coalition or party.
At the same time, he stressed that only unity among Malays can ensure electoral success for candidates representing them.
“The only way to become a prime minister is if all Malays unite. They must ensure that the candidate representing Malays wins,” he said.
He added that fielding too many candidates in an election will only lead to defeat for all parties involved.
Dr Mahathir also reiterated his question on the need to pursue positions as party leader and Prime Minister candidate amid a fragmented political landscape.
“So what is the point of being a party leader and a prime minister candidate?” he said.