00:00Dr. Mahathir Mohamad criticized UMNO for withdrawing from a rally in support of Najib Razak, using
00:07the situation to play on the anti-DAP sentiment among Malays, says analyst Shaza Shukri from
00:12International Islamic University Malaysia.
00:16Shaza said Mahathir was exploiting anti-DAP sentiments to weaken UMNO and disrupt its
00:21ties within the Pakatan Harapan-led unity government.
00:24She added that Mahathir's son, Mukriz, could oppose the rally as he had less to lose politically,
00:29adding that the stakes were higher for Mahathir, resulting in his adoption of a more cautious
00:33approach to his political maneuvering.
00:37Two-time former Prime Minister Mahathir yesterday accused UMNO of pulling out of the rally for
00:41fear the party would lose support within the unity government, which depends heavily on
00:46DAP support.
00:48On Monday, despite UMNO's 11th hour withdrawal, PAS went ahead with the rally held outside
00:53the Palace of Justice as a show of support for Najib, whose case was being heard by the
00:57Court of Appeal.
00:59Meanwhile, G Manivannan, political secretary to Anwar Ibrahim, refuted Mahathir's claims
01:05as baseless, saying the unity government was founded on principles of mutual respect and
01:09consensus, and denied that DAP exerted undue influence over the government.
01:15He added that UMNO's decision to cancel its participation in the rally was a reflection
01:20of its respect for constitutional processes, not out of fear.
01:25Dhanushwaja Reza, FMT News.
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