KUALA LUMPUR – Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad should not question the loyalty of the Chinese and Indians in the country just because they speak in their mother tongue and practise their own customs and religion.
In a statement, today, Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo said it was unfortunate for the nonagenarian to issue such racially divisive statements despite having led the country in the past for many years.
“Malaysia is a multiracial country. Its people come from different religious and cultural backgrounds.
“The federal constitution expressly recognises this and makes it abundantly clear that except as expressly authorised by the constitution itself, there shall be no discrimination against citizens on the ground only of religion, race, descent, place of birth or gender in any law,” he said.
The Damansara MP also pointed out that many of our citizens spoke more than one language, most of whom are conversant in Bahasa Malaysia and their own native language, which include amongst others, Chinese, Tamil, Iban or Kadazan.
“This has never been a problem for us. Instead, it is that diversity which has strengthened us and places us in a position to benefit from a world today which is largely globalised,” he said.
Dr Mahathir, he added, must acknowledge that all Malaysians – be they Malays, Chinese, Indians, Sabahans or Sarawakians – have worked and still work hard to build this country.
“There is nothing wrong with the fact that we come from different racial, religious and cultural backgrounds at all or speak different languages.
“We are indeed Malaysian and loyal to our country,” he said.
Dr Mahathir recently told Chennai-based satellite television channel Thanthi TV that Malaysian Indians and Chinese were not completely loyal to the country as they identifed themselves with their respective countries of origin.
He also said Malaysian Indians did not speak Malay as their mother tongue, did not practise Malay culture, customs or traditions, and thus should not refer to Malaysia as their home country.
The two-time prime minister said he considered it a “problem” when “immigrants” (Indians and Chinese) claimed the country as their own while practising their own cultures and customs. – January 14, 2024