PETALING JAYA: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is no longer the leader Malaysia needs and the country must move on further than just relying on him as a "saviour", says Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.

In an open letter to the Prime Minister, Khaled, who is Umno vice-president, said that Malaysia needs a new generation of leaders to navigate its future.

“After almost 18 months, I think Tun (Dr Mahathir) has no solution for Malaysia and its future.

“With all due respect, the leader that Malaysia needs is no longer Tun. Malaysia's future is not just for elitist politics for the sake of the success of his administration.

“We need a new generation of leaders and not follow his stance and rants similar to 40 years ago, ” he said in the statement here Friday (Oct 25).

Recalling Dr Mahathir’s speech during Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia’s annual general meeting last year, Khaled said the premier had numerous times said that Umno was "dead, disgraced and unsalvageable".

“Then a few months later, he called on Umno members to join Bersatu and that all Malay-based political parties to collaborate for racial progress.

“And during the Malay Dignity Congress last few weeks, he said the Malay political strength had weakened, but now, he is busy soliciting support from Umno MPs.

“His stance in all these matters is confusing all of us, ” he said, claiming that Dr Mahathir was only using Umno leaders for his own political survival.

“His act of dragging Umno leaders into Pakatan Harapan’s political conflict is uncalled for and will only destroy the high values and political culture we wish to foster post-GE14, ” he said.

Reminding Dr Mahathir that it was his own decision to cooperate and form an alliance with DAP, Khaled claimed the prime minister was the one who had appointed DAP leaders with strategic positions, subsequently providing them with the “claws” to sideline the Malays.

Calling for Dr Mahathir to prioritise the country’s future, Khaled said the power should be returned to the deserving leaders who are honest and dedicated.