KUALA LUMPUR – Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s fixed views on race show that he is out of touch with the current generation’s aspirations, an educator and a political analyst said.
Commenting on the 98-year-old leader’s insistence that Malays are “lazy” and that non-Malays should assimilate to be Malay, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)’s associate prof Hasnah Toran said Malaysians today are more politically mature.
“Those who will spin (race-based rhetorics) will spin, but Malaysians are tired of politicians who play the race card, as the rakyat of the current generation are more mature citizens,” said the chair of UKM’s Educational Studies and Community Wellbeing Department.
“I have faith in our Malaysians, even if there are folks who would try to spin this. They, the current and new generation of Malaysians, understand what makes Malaysia strong.
“Being diverse and the ability to live harmoniously is considered a characteristic of a global citizen,” she added.
Hasnah was commenting on Dr Mahathir’s recent remarks in the latest episode of the Keluar Sekejap podcast hosted by ex-Umno leaders Khairy Jamaluddin and Shahril Sufian Hamdan.
In the two hour and 20 minute session, the former Langkawi MP – who lost his deposit in the general election last year – maintained his views on “lazy Malays” and accused non-Malays of not wanting to assimilate, despite an intense grilling by his hosts.
In other parts of the podcast, Dr Mahathir also remarked that non-Malays did not want to assimilate with Malays because they looked down on the latter.
Hasnah disagreed, saying that each ethnic group had characteristics they were proud of, and which Malaysia should value.
She also highlighted the importance of focusing on shared traits.
“We don’t want them (non-Malays) to ever lose their characteristics, (as) it is the essence of their being.
“All Malaysians have characteristics and values that we (all) share, such as our love for the country, respect and love of each other,” she added.
Although Dr Mahathir may have angered many with these views – that he has repeated over the years – Hasnah said he perhaps meant well and was trying to motivate people.
“I think the younger generation of Malays should take (Mahathir’s remarks) as a challenge.
“I am not sure whether it is a method of reverse psychology, but I think it is more of Dr Mahathir’s hope that Malays should be doing better. He has always been well-meaning towards the rakyat,” she said.
‘Elder statesman should build, not divide society’
Political analyst Dr Azmi Hassan, meanwhile, said Dr Mahathir should know better, as a statesman, to speak words that unite the country rather than spew divisive remarks.
His words carry weight and should be put to better use, the senior fellow at the Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research added.
Azmi felt that Dr Mahathir’s views in the podcast were aimed at making himself relevant in the political scene, which in Malaysia is largely race-based.
Dr Mahathir is no longer an MP, having quit the last party he founded, Pejuang, and is attempting to work with his former enemy, PAS, whose general assembly he attended for the first time last month.
“It seems he is trying to perpetuate his views to gain their votes.
“As an elder statesman, Dr Mahathir should put more weight on his views towards building the future of the country, instead of dividing, just to gain political (points).
“Just as he said he used DAP to oust (former prime minister Datuk Seri) Najib (Razak), now he’s willing to use race in order to get rid of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim,” Azmi said.
Asked how society should deal with Dr Mahathir’s rhetoric, Azmi said it would be difficult to do so.
“It will be difficult, as long as PAS gives political space to him. However, (I believe) that he will keep quiet if PAS loses its grip on Malay voters.” – November 14, 2023