The Malaysian Insight

IN its 116 years, Kelab Sultan Sulaiman in Kg Baru has seen its fair share of Malay politics.

It hosted the first Malay journalists’ conference in 1940, which was the prequel to Umno’s birth in 1946 as the first Malay congress. In 1969, during the May riots, it served as a shelter for hundreds fleeing the violence.

The club saw a glimmer of its past glory last night, playing host to former Umno leaders, Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Muhyiddin Yassin and Mukhriz Mahathir, dubbed the “3Ms”.

Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia marked the end of its Semarak campaign in Federal Territory with a ceramah there yesterday in its campaign against the Barisan Nasional government.

The Bersatu tour is set to continue in Penang, Perak, Perlis, Pahang, Malacca, Terengganu and Negri Sembilan after Ramadan.

Starting around 9pm, some 1,000 people of all ages started to fill the area hoping to listen to the 92-year-old former prime minister.

Cheers of “Hidup Tun” rang out as Dr Mahathir started speaking.

“We are just poor people, that is why we are passing the box around asking for donations. RM1 or RM20 also can. But if you don’t want to donate, you can hear us three people amuse you,” Dr Mahathir began.

But after the quick jibe, he trained his gun on Prime Minister Najib Razak and the 1Malaysia Development Bhd saga.

During his 20-minute speech, Dr Mahathir highlighted a report by Time magazine, which listed Najib as one of the few leaders more unpopular than United States President Donald Trump.

The architect of Malaysia’s first national carmaker also took the opportunity to mourn the sale of Proton to Chinese auto maker Geely Holdings yesterday.

Earlier, Bersatu president Muhyiddin told the crowd that he had not taken any funds from 1MDB and promised an inquiry into the scandal if the opposition wins the next elections.

Raja Nazaruddin Raja Nasron, 64, said he wanted to hear what Bersatu leaders would do if they were to take over Putrajaya.

“My son, who is in college, asked if the RM2.6 billion was really a donation and why was the money not returned to the donor,” he said, referring to the funds channelled into Najib’s bank accounts.

Raja Nazaruddin was an Umno member since 1974 and left the party last year to join Bersatu.

For 24-year-old Patrick Lim, this was a rare chance to see Dr Mahathir in the flesh.

“I am curious. I have always regarded him as a sort of oracle who first predicted that this current situation in the political parties would happen. There are some things he said that I don’t agree with. But I am disappointed in the current government.”

Lim, who will be voting for the first time in the 14th general election (GE14), said he has been disappointed with the government since he was very young.

“I read a lot of newspapers and online portals about the current state of Malaysia, and I can only say I’m disappointed. I’m looking forward to the next general election where I can vote for the first time. And it will not be Barisan Nasional,” said the Johor born.

Owen Tee said he came to support Bersatu because he is sick and tired of the political state of the country.

“I am here to unite with my friends from Sri Kuching, Segambut, to see a change in the country and how Dr Mahathir is going to bring Malaysia back to its former glory,” he said.

He also said he wished the economy would be fixed, as young people like him are finding it hard to get a job.

“I don’t like a corrupt country, I want to see something happen, I have a lot of friends who are jobless now. The younger generation is the next generation, is this the end for us?” he asked in despair.

Isaiah Jacob, from the Batu constituency, said he is prepared to give his support to Bersatu if the party works with other opposition parties. 

“We need a change. I would like all of the opposition parties to bring about this change,” he said. 

The Pakatan Harapan supporter said he had never voted for BN during Dr Mahathir’s rule.

“But I will keep an open mind now, as Mahathir is back,” said the 51-year-old.

Steven Lee, 59, from Sentul said he stopped voting for BN parties since 2008 because he noticed there were a lot of things wrong with the government. 

“We need a change. When I came back from Australia, I noticed there had been a lot of things the government is doing wrong. It’s no longer what it used to be back when Mahathir was in power where Malaysians of all races come together in nation-building,” he said. – May 25, 2017.