Malaysiakini
Dr Mahathir Mohamad's remarks on how the Malays were forced to accept orang asing (foreigners) during British rule in exchange for independence is downright insulting and unbecoming of a prime minister who represents all Malaysians, said DAP lawmaker Ramkarpal Singh.
Ramkarpal was referring to the prime minister's speech at yesterday's Malay Dignity Congress, where Mahathir said: “.. Orang asing berasa selesa dengan negara kita dan mereka ingin tinggal di sini. Nak tak nak pun, kita terpaksa terima, kalau tidak kita tidak akan mencapai kemerdekaan (The foreigners felt comfortable in this country and wanted to stay. Like it or not, we were forced to accept or we would not have achieved independence).”
Describing the statement as uncalled for, Ramkarpal said Mahathir should have known better.
“The PM should know that such remarks are highly sensitive and threaten racial harmony in the country and can lead to a divided nation along racial lines, which must be avoided at all costs,” he added.
The Bukit Gelugor MP also noted how Mahathir claimed he did not hear the organiser of the congress Zainal Kling's statement that “Malaysia belonged to the Malays” when opening the congress.
He said the prime minister should have corrected the academician and if it is true that he did not hear the remark, then he should set the record straight now.
Ramkarpal reminded Mahathir that he won the last general election largely because of the support of non-Malays.
“That support was to see reforms for the betterment of this country and to move it forward, not to see the country becoming divided along racial lines.
“I call on the PM to take the lead in narrowing the gaps among the races in the country and dispelling the false notion that the Malays are under threat.
“Reprimanding Zainal for his insensitive remarks would be a good start and I urge the PM to do so forthwith,” Ramkarpal added in a statement this afternoon.
Dr Mahathir Mohamad's remarks on how the Malays were forced to accept orang asing (foreigners) during British rule in exchange for independence is downright insulting and unbecoming of a prime minister who represents all Malaysians, said DAP lawmaker Ramkarpal Singh.
Ramkarpal was referring to the prime minister's speech at yesterday's Malay Dignity Congress, where Mahathir said: “.. Orang asing berasa selesa dengan negara kita dan mereka ingin tinggal di sini. Nak tak nak pun, kita terpaksa terima, kalau tidak kita tidak akan mencapai kemerdekaan (The foreigners felt comfortable in this country and wanted to stay. Like it or not, we were forced to accept or we would not have achieved independence).”
Describing the statement as uncalled for, Ramkarpal said Mahathir should have known better.
“The PM should know that such remarks are highly sensitive and threaten racial harmony in the country and can lead to a divided nation along racial lines, which must be avoided at all costs,” he added.
The Bukit Gelugor MP also noted how Mahathir claimed he did not hear the organiser of the congress Zainal Kling's statement that “Malaysia belonged to the Malays” when opening the congress.
He said the prime minister should have corrected the academician and if it is true that he did not hear the remark, then he should set the record straight now.
Ramkarpal reminded Mahathir that he won the last general election largely because of the support of non-Malays.
“That support was to see reforms for the betterment of this country and to move it forward, not to see the country becoming divided along racial lines.
“I call on the PM to take the lead in narrowing the gaps among the races in the country and dispelling the false notion that the Malays are under threat.
“Reprimanding Zainal for his insensitive remarks would be a good start and I urge the PM to do so forthwith,” Ramkarpal added in a statement this afternoon.
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