By P Prem Kumar
KUALA LUMPUR (AA) - Malaysia's former deputy prime minister has formed a new political party, with the Malaysian Native United Party poised to become a leading opponent to the ruling United Malays National Organisation (UMNO).
The party (United), with first-tier membership only open to ethnic Malays and east Malaysia natives, was submitted by Muhyiddin Yassin to the Registrar of Societies on Tuesday in the government's administrative capital Putrajaya.
Yassin was named president while former premier Mahathir Mohamad was named in a chairman-cum-advisor position. Mohamad's son, Mukhriz Mahathir, meanwhile, was named vice president.
Speaking after submitting the application, Yassin told reporters that the party had been formed to protect the special position of Malays in the country, while defending Islam and the Bumiputeras (Malays and East Malaysians).
"United's membership is open to the other races, [but only] to join as associate members... They will have same rights as normal members except to vote and contest for party positions," he said.
Almost all of the interim leadership comprises of former leaders of UMNO, who left the party led by Prime Minister Najib Razak following allegations of corruption and financial mismanagement of a state wealth fund.
Last month, Mohamad -- Malaysia's longest serving prime minister -- announced the founding of a new party to ally with the Hope Pact -- the country's major opposition coalition -- to ensure straight fights against the National Alliance ruling coalition in the 14th General Election, which is due in 2018.
Yassin and Mahathir were sacked from UMNO in June as deputy president and council member respectively on being accused of being part of a campaign to oust Razak.
The trio had participated in Hope Pact's campaign at by elections in Kuala Kangsar and in Sungai Besar parliamentary by-elections.
UMNO won in both contests with strong majorities, in the process defeating the Malaysian Islamic Party and its splinter group the National Honest Party -- which was endorsed by the trio.
UMNO is the major political party in the National Alliance which had ruled Malaysia since independence in 1957.
Yassin was dropped as deputy premier in a cabinet reshuffle in July last year after criticizing Razak's handling of 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), which had amassed 50 billion Ringgit ($12 billion) of debt in six years.