Zaid ‘advises’ Muhyiddin on how to attract non-Malay support

SHAH ALAM: Malay political parties in the country tend to take on impossible tasks and then question their own failures, says Datuk Mohd Zaid Ibrahim.

The former law minister said, in a post on X on Sunday (March 10), that this can be seen from the actions of some of the leaders of major political parties in the country.

He said, for instance, Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin talks about getting more support from non-Malays.

“It’s pretty simple: follow the example of (Datuk Seri) Anwar Ibrahim. Tell Malaysians you are the Daddy for all races,” he said in his post.

He also sarcastically advised Muhyiddin to tell Perikatan Nasional partner Gerakan to “sound like DAP, to speak of meritocracy”.

“Say all these things until you achieve power. It’s OK not to do these things after your election. Tell them reforms will come during your second term. Malaysians forget easily,” Zaid said tongue-in-cheek.

On Saturday (March 9), Muhyiddin had called on Perikatan members to redouble efforts to win over the non-Malay community, which had shunned its parties in the 15th General Election.

“We have to find ways of gaining the support of the Chinese, Indian and other communities.

“For the Malays, it can be said that we have their support,” he said in his closing speech at the Perikatan Representatives Convention on Saturday.

In his post, Zaid also said PAS needed to be sensitive to worldly matters, as non-Malays were concerned with the economy, education and business.

“If PAS continues its mission to ensure Muslims go to heaven, it will not be able to build a strong economy for the Malays.

“Also, it will not assist Bersatu in winning the Federal Government,” he said.

Zaid also said Muhyiddin should forget about being prime minister again.

He advised PAS leaders to work with the Prime Minister (Anwar) to develop the Malay states, while Bersatu leaders should close ranks with UMNO and attempt to reunite.

“After all, there is no reason for Bersatu to continue to fight against Umno.

“You were all made of the same stuff, and your differences are only tactical.

“Find ways to share power, as you have always done,” he said.