“I am a Malay who cares for all Malaysians,” he was quoted as saying today at a Malaysian Indian People’s Party event in Shah Alam.

Muhyiddin said that while he considered himself to be a Malay Malaysian, he had never seen himself “as only Malay”. He said: “I have to consider the Chinese, Indians and others, because I am a leader of Malaysia.”

Muhyiddin’s remark about being a Malay first was made in 2010 when he was deputy prime minister in the Najib Razak government. However, he said it did not mean he was not a Malaysian.

He had said this in response to DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang’s challenge for him to state whether he is a Malay or a Malaysian first, which led to opposition parties pouring scorn on the 1Malaysia concept, a feature in Najib’s government, which espoused unity.

Muhyiddin was expelled by Umno in 2016, after which he formed Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (now known as Bersatu), and formed a government in 2020 with allies from Barisan Nasional and PAS.

His remarks today were made at an “Indian Unity” gathering organised by MIPP, a partner in PN.

He claimed that he was left surprised by views of some of his friends in the Indian community that they have no leader representing them. Muhyiddin said he found it unusual.