PUTRAJAYA: Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad should not make statements that can cause disunity among the people, said Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor.

The Federal Territories Minister and Umno secretary-general questioned Dr Mahathir’s claims that parochialism, including the Bangsa Johor concept, would divide Malaysians, which could result in the break-up of the Federation.

“I don’t understand him. When he was in power, he asked us to follow his leadership, but now when things are not going his way, he says otherwise.

“Dr Mahathir is in his own world. But we the Government will do our best to ensure the people’s interests are protected,” Tengku Adnan said during the Merdeka “Kayuhan Patriotik” Fun Ride 2016 in Putrajaya on Sunday morning.

The Sultan of Johor had strongly rebuked Dr Mahathir over the former prime minister’s disapproval of the Bangsa Johor concept.

Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar had expressed his displeasure over the remarks made by Dr Mahathir that the concept could disunite the people.

Dr Mahathir had said the people should all be known as Malaysians, instead of the people of Johor or Kedah because “only when we are united can the nation prosper”.

Sultan Ibrahim said Dr Mahathir was not qualified to talk about unity.

The Johor Ruler said Dr Mahathir should understand all states enjoyed their own unique pride but that did not mean they were leaving the Federation.

He said Dr Mahathir had earned a reputation for being a confrontational person who had caused division, especially in his foreign relations policy. -thestar