KUALA LUMPUR — Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on Friday (Aug 7) announced the formation of an “independent’ Malay party which would uphold Bersatu’s original struggle.

This would be the second Malay-based party that Dr Mahathir has formed after quitting Umno in 2016 and forming Bersatu the same year.

In a press conference on Friday, Dr Mahathir said the formation of the new party was important to provide a platform for Malays who are unhappy with Bersatu for joining forces with Umno.

Dr Mahathir said Bersatu, under chairman Muhyiddin Yassin, has deviated from the party’s original struggle, which is to combat corruption and the “kleptocratic” Umno led administration under then prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

“The political party that we originally formed which is Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia with the goal of fighting and removing the kleptocratic government of Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, has been hijacked. 

“This new party will be based on the struggle for the Malays and the Pribumi. This is because, Pribumi-based parties that exist today have demeaned the dignity of the race, religion and country,’’ he said.

Dr Mahathir said the party, which has yet to be named, would be referred to as “Bebas” for now. MALAY MAIL