Mahathir urges Malays to reject Anwar, calls for proof on claim of amassed wealth

Dr Mahathir Mohamad today urged the Malays to reject Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's government as the veteran leader renewed his attacks on his one-time deputy whom he said was behind the recent cancellation of the "Malay Proclamation" event.

"When the government prevents others from launching this proclamation, it betrays the promises in the country's constitution," he said.

"That is why the Malays should oppose the government led by Anwar Ibrahim."

Mahathir also challenged Anwar to prove the claim that he had amassed wealth for himself and his family members. 

"Making accusations is easy. But accusations that are without clear proof cannot be accepted as the truth. It is slander," said Mahathir, who led the government twice for a total of 24 years.

In his address to PKR delegates attending the party's recent congress, Anwar had launched a thinly veiled attack on his former mentor after Mahathir accused him of silencing dissent and controlling the press.

"Some people, after 22 years plus 22 months in power, talk about the Malays having lost everything – property, shares. How would they not if you monopolised them for yourself, your family and your children? Now that you've lost power, you talk about the masses," Anwar had said.

In his response, Mahathir said the Malays fell into a state of poverty after he stepped down as prime minister, adding that he had tried to correct the situation when he assumed the top office for a second tenure under the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government.

"I tried to help the plight of the Malays when I became prime minister after GE14. But the PH government was toppled and I lost my position. That's why I'm complaining now."

Mahathir said this was why he had spearheaded the "Malay Proclamation", the cancellation of which saw him questioning Anwar's commitment to free speech.

Mahathir said Anwar was trying to silence those who sought to speak about the plight of the Malays.

"The content of this proclamation is in line with the provisions of the Malaysian constitution as well as the Umno constitution," he said, adding that despite this, Umno had not opposed Anwar's move to stop the event.