In a recent statement, Umno’s Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan claimed that some Umno leaders, including Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, were responsible for influencing Malaysians to have negative perceptions of the Democratic Action Party (DAP). He pointed out that despite this, Tun Mahathir joined forces with DAP to topple the Barisan Nasional in the 2018 general election, a move accepted by Malaysians as it led to the formation of the new government. Ahmad Maslan mentioned that the current alliance between Umno and DAP is met with resistance among Malaysians due to perceived contradictions.
Ahmad Maslan also stated that the unity government’s formation is suitable as an administrative model, as it includes representation from various ethnic groups, such as Malays, Chinese, Indians, Kadazan, Iban, and other Bumiputera communities in Sabah and Sarawak. He emphasized that the unity government does not solely cater to the Malays but encompasses a diverse range of ethnicities.
Umno and DAP formed an alliance after the 15th general election when no single coalition secured a majority. This brought together their respective coalitions, Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan, to establish the federal government. Notably, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad recently accused the Anwar administration of being influenced by DAP’s MPs to move away from Islam in favor of a secular and multi-ethnic approach, which he perceived as contradictory to the “Malayness” enshrined in the Constitution.