‘Choose Pejuang’: In blog post decrying corruption, Mahathir announces new party’s name

KUALA LUMPUR — Dr Mahathir Mohamad has named his new party Pejuang.

The two-time prime minister made the announcement in a blog post that decried the betrayal of his former comrades in Bersatu, whom he alleged to have sold out for posts and money after the outfit aligned itself with scandal-plagued United Malays National Organisation (Umno) and Barisan Nasional.

In an emotional poem published on his blog, Dr Mahathir said Pejuang — Malay for warrior — was created to fight corruption.

The statement was aimed at Bersatu and Umno, the two parties he once led.

Dr Mahathir also suggested the Malays have long suffered from the effects of corruption because their leaders valued money and power over the interest of their community.

Dr Mahathir's poem contained two lines which, translated, means: “Look at the Malays of the neighbouring country. Is their country still Malay?”

Commenting on the lines, Singapore's Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam said: “Wonder which country Dr Mahathir is referring to.” MALAY MAIL