00:00It's as though we're children who cannot function when there are differences in opinion.
00:06This is what Shahza Shukri of International Islamic University Malaysia said as she played
00:12down former Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir Mohamad's latest push for Malay political unity, describing
00:18it as unrealistic.
00:21The analyst said Malay political unity ceased even before Malaya's independence, citing
00:27the formation of PAS in the 1950s when several UMNO leaders split from the party.
00:33Shahza added that Mahathir was essentially belittling the Malays by saying that uniting
00:37them should be a prerequisite for one to become Prime Minister.
00:42She told FMT that wanting the Malays to come under one banner is like wanting to get rid
00:47of their plural identity.
00:49On Friday, Mahathir said being a party president or prime ministerial candidate mattered less
00:55than one's ability to unite the Malays.
00:58Mahathir, who previously led UMNO, Bersatu and Pejuang, launched several attempts at uniting
01:04the Malays through the years.
01:06The former prime minister also launched a new Malay unity alliance in June last year, although
01:12its fate remains unclear with key figures like opposition leader Hamza Zainuddin and Bersatu
01:18President Muhyiddin Yassin falling out.
01:21Narutha Raja, FMT.
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