KOTA KINABALU, May 4 — The inclusivity of the national unity government has only become more relevant with the launch of a "Malay Proclamation” focused on the interests of a single race, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Commenting on Islamist Opposition party PAS signing on with ex-PM Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s treatise on the Malay community, Ahmad Zahid said the multiracial and multicultural nature of the unity government has a greater significance to Malaysia.

"The question of ethnicity may come from the grassroots, but the Malaysian race is big. The unity government that is formed by four dominant forces is driven by us all and should be given priority,” said Zahid who was speaking to reporters during the Sabah Umno Hari Raya open house here today.

"What’s important is the unity of the people in the country under this united government. We should put aside political differences, what more ethnic differences for the country,” he said.

Zahid also told the Opposition to pay serious attention to the Sultan of Johor’s statement yesterday calling for an end to the continued plotting that could destabilise the government.

"We in Umno honour the (sultan’s) call and hope we can all do the same to move forward and work on building a nation that is politically stable so we can help grow the economy and attract foreign investments.

"Economic growth has to be given top priority,” he said.

Zahid, who is also the rural and regional development minister, also dismissed Dr Mahathir as having become a new "political liability” to the country, by retreating into race-based politics again after a humbling loss in the 14th general election.

During the national election last November, Dr Mahathir and every other candidate who contested under Parti Pejuang Tanahair Malaysia all lost their campaign deposits.

"The people are so tired from the last term, where there saw three administrations post-election. It’s time to move forward with this new unity government while bearing the consequences,” he said.

On allegation that some Umno leaders were involved in the "Malay Proclamation”, Zahid said this will be investigated.

"Let’s see what are the hidden agendas in the proclamation. The political bureau will examine this and discuss this and bring it up to the Supreme Council,” he said.