SERI KEMBANGAN: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim took a jab at Dr Mahathir Mohamad today for claiming that Indians are not “completely loyal to Malaysia”.
“There are former leaders who are trying to cover their wrongdoings by insulting the people, Malays and even (by claiming) the Chinese and Indians are not loyal to the country,” he said without mentioning names in a speech at an event in Universiti Putra Malaysia.
“Such outdated views will destroy the country. I hope the people, especially the younger generation, will not entertain such views.”
Mahathir, the country’s longest-serving prime minister, had come under criticism for remarks he made about Indians in a recent interview.
SPONSORED CONTENT RM20bil green steel project: Sabah on its way to adopting green technology, says Hajiji Kota Kinabalu: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said Sabah is well on its way to fully adopting the green technology revolution with a RM20 billion green steel project at the Sipitang Oil and Gas Industrial Park (Sogip). Read more In the interview with Chennai-based Tamil news channel Thanthi TV, Mahathir said Indians in Malaysia must remember that they are Malaysians more than they are immigrants from other countries.
Speaking to reporters after the event, Anwar said Mahathir’s remarks were irrelevant.
“He is not being responsible (by) insulting the different races, (claiming) Malays are lazy, Indians and Chinese are not loyal.
“We oppose such remarks. To me, all loyal citizens are loyal. We must respect each other regardless of race.”
He also said Mahathir’s remarks were an attempt to distract the people from other issues, without elaborating on what these issues might be.
* Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss.
* Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.