MAHATHIR CREATES HISTORY, REVIVES HOPE FOR A NEW & BETTER MALAYSIA

PETALING JAYA – Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) was officially launched by its chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad on Saturday.

The former prime minister said the upcoming general election will see the Opposition contesting under one symbol and one manifesto.

“We will also contest one candidate for each constituency. All the component parties will rally behind that one candidate,” he said in his opening speech at the Stadium Malawati Shah Alam on Saturday.

The launch was attended by its party president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and deputy president Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir.

Dr Mahathir said those who contested in three-cornered fights betrayed the trust of Malaysians.

He also pledged to abolish the goods and services tax (GST) if the Opposition is elected into government.

“GST will be abolished in stages and will be replaced with a sales tax according to the people’s needs,” he said.

He also said if BR1M was deemed necessary, then it would be distributed by government agencies.

“BR1M shouldn’t be included in any party manifesto and instead will be extended to the people as a statutory aid determined by Parliament and the Budget,” he said.

Muhyiddin shared Dr Mahathir’s sentiments on the party’s manifesto and its way forward.

In his speech, Muhyiddin said the Opposition has to be united to give Malaysians an alternative party which they can support.

“The former Opposition coalition was a shaky alliance, hence the support from the people was divided.

“The allocation of seats, who would be the prime minister, these are all questions that the public wants to know,” he said.

Muhyiddin added if the Opposition was given the mandate, they would tackle the issue of the country’s economy which is the main concern of every Malaysian.

Dr Mahathir’s wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, also led a choir to sing the national anthem at the beginning of the launch.

Also present were PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Selangor Mentri Besar and PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Azmin Ali, PKR vice-president Tian Chua, DAP vice-chairman Teresa Kok, Perkasa president Datuk Ibrahim Ali and Amanah president Mohamad Sabu.

– ANN