SERDANG – Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s remarks about the loyalty of Malaysian Indians to the country are irrelevant and irresponsible for someone who once led the nation, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today.
Dr Mahathir’s views that Malaysian Indians are not loyal enough to the country cannot be accepted.
“I do not think Tun Dr Mahathir’s remarks are relevant. Such a statement is irresponsible coming from a former, long-serving prime minister to insult any ethnic group, whether they are the majority or minority,” Anwar told reporters after an event at Universiti Putra Malaysia here today.
“We should strongly oppose such a statement, it is very irresponsible,” the prime minister added.
Anwar was commenting on his former mentor’s interview with Chennai-based Tamil news channel Thanthi TV.
In the interview, Dr Mahathir said Malaysian Indians should not call themselves Malaysians unless they identify as Malays.
He also said Malaysian Indians do not speak Malay as their mother tongue, do not practice Malay culture, customs, or traditions, and thus should not refer to Malaysia as their home country.
The two-time prime minister considered it a “problem” when “immigrants” (Indians and Chinese) claimed the country as their own while practicing their own cultures and customs.
Anwar today said that Dr Mahathir was “well known” for such views on non-Malay ethnic groups as well as his penchant for labelling Malays as lazy.
“His views are well known, that Malays are lazy except him, and that Indians and Chinese are less loyal except a few of his cronies.”
Various leaders have strongly condemned Dr Mahathir’s remarks, noting the potential danger of inflaming racial tensions.
In his speech at today’s event, Anwar also referenced Dr Mahathir’s remarks, urging the younger generation not to accept such views, which are outdated and could destroy the country. – January 16, 2024