Hindraf on why Mahathir dismisses MIC apology- Malaysiakini

Its understandable why former premier Mahathir Mohamad could not possibly be interested or concerned with any apology from MIC over a delegate's suggestion that he be "honoured with a garland of slippers",according exiled Hindraf chairman P Waythmoorthy.

The garland suggestion came from one M. Sukumaran at the recent MIC General Assembly.

In fact, said Waythamoorthy, he (Mahathir) can even understand the reasons behind the calculated insult.

"Having observed Mahathir ever since I heard him speak at a student function in London in 1989, I know how the man thinks," said Waythamoorthy (right) in a telephone call to Malaysiakini from an undisclosed location outside London where he's based. "When Mahathir says he's not interested in something, I know he means it."

According to this school of thought, Mahathir did not do anything at all for the Indian community during his 22 years as Prime Minister.

Hence, he does not expect Indians to be grateful to him.

"So, if any Indian insults him, he knows that he has to just grin and take it," said Waythamoorthy.

"In fact, he's probably surprised deep down that he has not been insulted at all so far and Samy - MIC President -- instead gets all the blame, a situation he encourages."

'Covering up sins'

The Hindraf Chief notes that Samy has even come under all around fire including Mahathir and Umno for not doing enough for the Indian community "but this is just to cover up their own sins".

"The fact remains that Samy is not the prime minister of Malaysia. If he were, we can blame him for not doing enough or anything for the Indian community," said Waythamoorthy.

"It is Mahathir who should be blamed. He's trying to shift the blame on to Samy. Mahathir failed to be the Prime Minister for all Malaysians. He was more interested in his own petty racist agenda."

So, it's not surprising that someone in MIC suggested a 'garland of slippers' for him, he added.

Waythamoorthy called on the MIC president Samy to stop parroting about Mahathir being a great leader, a great man, a great statesman and a builder of the nation, among others, "since he (Mahathir) didn't do anything at all for the Indian community and in fact set out to hurt them and others as well".

"After all the prime minister is supposed to be the leader for all Malaysians, under the Federal Constitution, not just for some Malaysians."

On Umno's claims that the government had allocated considerable funds for the Indian community but Samy did not pass them to them, Wayathamoorthy wanted the claims to be backed up by facts and figures and other relevant evidence.

Down slippery slope

The first of Mahathir's (left) sins against the Indian community and Malaysians in general, stressed Waythamoorthy, was to distort and deviate from the New Economic Policy (NEP) and introduce racist elements which set the nation on a slippery slope and the Indians among the worst-hit victims.

As an example he cited the withdrawal of recognition for degrees from overseas medical institutions which had a large number of Malaysian Indian students.

He noted that the Special Privileges meant for the Malays, and by extension other natives, only covered four areas intake into the civil service, intake into institutions of higher learning, Government scholarships and opportunities in business.

"The special privileges were only meant to ensure that the Malays and other natives were not left out as the nation developed since there was this fear at independence," said Waythamoorthy. "It is not a carte blanc (blank cheque) to grab the whole pie in the four areas mentioned and other areas as well."

In any case, Waythamoorthy doesn't expect Mahathir to apologise to the Indian community for past hurts and sleights "although time is running out for him".

Similarly, he does not expect Mahathir to apologise to his former heir apparent, Anwar Ibrahim, for doing everything possible to destroy not only his political career but the man himself.

"Samy himself has labelled Mahathir as the destroyer of deputies," said Waythamoorthy. Even Anwar has said he cannot forget although he has forgiven."

Mahathir is more concerned about Umno leaders insulting or humiliating him and getting away with it.

In short, that's why Mahathir is using the "garland of slippers" insult as an excuse to name all those who had insulted or humiliated him in the past and are still walking around Scott-free.

His suggestion that he would not hesitate to drop them from the Federal Cabinet if he had his way, suggested Waythamoorthy, was a strong hint for Prime Minister Mohd Najib Abdul Razak "to do what is necessary to avenge his hurt pride".