Syaza Shukri of International Islamic University Malaysia said Malay political unity ceased even before Malaya’s independence, citing the formation of PAS in the 1950s when several Umno leaders split from the party.

Syaza added that Mahathir was essentially belittling the Malays by saying that uniting them should be a prerequisite for one to become prime minister.

“It’s as though we’re children who cannot function when there are differences in opinion.

“The reality is that the Malays have not been politically united since PAS was formed. Wanting the Malays to come under one banner is like wanting to get rid of our plural identity,” she told FMT.

On Friday, Mahathir said being a party president or prime ministerial candidate mattered less than one’s ability to unite the Malays.

Mahathir – who previously led Umno, Bersatu and Pejuang – launched several attempts at uniting the Malays through the years.

He formed the Gerakan Tanah Air coalition involving Malay parties, NGOs, academics and professionals in August 2022 and contested the general election that year, but every candidate lost their deposit, including Mahathir himself.

The former prime minister also launched a new Malay unity alliance in June last year, although its fate remains unclear with key figures like opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin and Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin falling out.

PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said Malay political unity could be achieved, but only if all Malay parties set aside their personal agendas and made Malay unity their core struggle.

Separately, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia’s Mazlan Ali said newly-appointed Perikatan Nasional chairman Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar was unlikely to meet Mahathir’s criteria.

He said the Terengganu menteri besar might be seen as a professional in the ranks of PAS, but lacked the stature or gravitas at the international stage to be nominated as a prime minister candidate.