Dr M denies GTA is dividing Malays

PUTRAJAYA - The Gerakan Tanah Air (GTA) today denies claims that the establishment of the coalition will divide the Malays.

GTA Chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad however acknowledged that it could not unite all Malays, especially those entangled in criminal cases.

"The allegation that we divide the Malays is not true.

“Yes, we admit that we cannot unite the Malays involved in crimes and stealing money.

"The Malays in the movement are those not involved with crimes. They are fighting for the Malays, our country and the Islamic religion," he said at a press conference after the GTA Presidential Meeting at Perdana Leadership Foundation today.

On Aug 4, Dr Mahathir announced the establishment of GTA were based on the Malay and Islamic agenda.

The Pejuang Chairman added that GTA would not witness the clash between Malay candidates in GE15.

"Now we were successful in merging the Malay political parties that are usually fighting against each other, this time we will not fight against each other as we are united,” he said.

In another development, Dr Mahathir stated the delay in constructing the littoral combat ship (LCS) did not happen during the time he held the position of prime minister in 2018.

"I still remember Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd (BNS) taking over the LCS construction project from the Penang Naval Shipyard-Naval Dockyard Sdn Bhd on 2017.

“At the time I was not the prime minister anymore, how can it be said that I know this and that," he said.

The LCS construction project issue was brought up following the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) report on Aug 4 after the alleged inconsistencies, malpractice and abuse of power in the entire LCS procurement project.