'I join Putra to fight for the fate of the Malays' - Tun M

PUTRAJAYA - Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad insisted that he joined Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia (Putra) only to fight for the fate of the Malays.

The former Parti Pejuang Tanah Air (Pejuang) chairman said Putra was a platform for him to continue defending the Malays.

"We chose Putra as a platform only, we do not side with any party. If you only think about winning in a party, the Malays will eventually lose their power like right now.

"I don't think that's a good fight. A good fight is to prioritise the interests of the Malays by putting aside the party's interest and your own," he said.

He said this in a press conference after the end of the 'Bersama Tun M: Dialog Sepentas Perjuangan Yang Hilang?' programme at the Mini Townhall, Yayasan Kepimpinan Perdana (YKP) here today.

The programme, held for the first time, had paired Dr Mahathir on stage with former Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) president Datuk Zuraida Kamarudin and former Selangor Umno chief Tan Sri Noh Omar.

On Feb 24, the media reported Dr Mahathir and 13 other members had resigned from Pejuang and joined Putra.

The matter was confirmed by former Pejuang central executive council member Armin Baniaz Pahamin in a Facebook post.

Commenting further, Dr Mahathir said the Malays are currently in a dangerous situation as Malays not only never dominate the nation's economy but they are also losing politically.

When asked about Pejuang's decision led by his son Datuk Seri Mukhriz to join Perikatan Nasional (PN), he said it was up to the party as he was no longer a member.

"We are free and Malaysia is a democratic country, you can do what you want. Whether the decision is welcomed or not, I am not involved with Mukhriz now, because he is a member of Pejuang and I have left Pejuang," he said.