The PM said the first phase started in 2008 with the first individual, the then opposition leader, playing up racial issues, while the second phase, took off this year with the second individual, a former leader, launching a new Malay party.
Though Najib did not mention any names, it was an obvious reference to former opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim and former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
“In 2008, the opposition leader tried to challenge the constitution, making a political issue out of the rights accorded to all races, simply to get more votes.
“There had never been any dispute with the constitution before and people of all races and religions had lived in harmony all this while,” Najib said, adding that as a result of the opposition leader’s actions, the 12th General Election was dictated by racial issues and it has remained since.
According to Najib, the second individual started the second phase this year, by disrupting the unity of the Malays.
“This former leader formed a new political party for the Malays, and this has caused an even bigger fracture within the community
“Our political strength has now been diluted with the presence of five different Malay parties,” Najib said, most likely referring to Mahathir’s Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, which joins Umno, PAS, PKR and Amanah as parties with a majority, if not exclusive, Malay-Muslim representation.
The PM added that the actions of the second individual had also further eroded the already weakened national unity.
“His actions, together with the opposition calling for protest rallies behind the veil of projecting a ‘bipartisan’ and ‘multiracial’ image, are merely to attack the democratically-elected ruling government.
“He is even willing to work with the ruling party in Penang, who are known to have corrupt practices,” Najib said alluding to DAP.
Najib added that it was more regrettable that the former leader was willing to be used by those wanting to divide the people, using rallies to attack the government the same way his (former leader) own administration was attacked before.
Acknowledging the continuing threat to the Barisan Nasional government, Najib said “these two leaders have now reconciled, and we can only guess what they will do to our country in Phase Three.”