M.Krishnamoorthy
A media coach, adjunct professor and author
The government is disappointed by Dr Mahathir Mohamad's statement: "The Malaysian Indian community is still not completely loyal to this country because they are still tied to their country of origin".
In a statement, National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago anak Dagang called on all levels of society, including political leaders, not to release any statements that touch on religious and racial sensitivities, thus causing hatred. Political leaders should be role models in fostering unity, goodwill and the spirit of togetherness.
"I am very disappointed and strongly condemn the statement issued by Dr Mahathir Mohamad. We must learn, understand and take examples from the historical events Malaysia has gone through so that the unity and harmony between the races we feel now can continue to be enjoyed.
Remember, diversity is an advantage and a strength. Malaysians together built the Ni nation. A leader should be an agent of national unity in spreading messages of togetherness.
"The country has been built based on togetherness through the Social Contract, which has brought independence. In the unity of the people of various races, religions, ethnicities and cultures in this country, the former presidents (forefathers) have supported the container of national integration instead of assimilation. Now that it has been more than 60 years since independence, the people still maintain the value of "Unity in Diversity" as a way of life," he said in a statement issued on Saturday ( 13 JANUARY 2024).
Please look at the interview where Mahathir was interviewed and cornered by the interviewer from India.
When Dr Mahathir was asked about his Indian origins, Dr Mahathir said he was not a migrant because he had fully accepted that the country belonged to the Malays and had accepted Malay as his language and culture. He said he knows nothing about his Indian culture and language, and as such, he is 100% Malay.
He also said if the Chinese and Indians want to be considered Malaysians, they must remember they are Malaysians more than immigrants from other countries.
When asked what he expects from non-Malays and whether they should become Malays, Dr Mahathir said, “Yeah, they should become…” before trailing off and citing a claim that there were other races in the past “who are now Malays”.
Lawyer and commentator Kandiah Chelliah said that Mahathir is not truly a Malay and should be probed by the authorities for seditious racial statements.
“The fact of the matter is your grandfather came from Malabar, Kerala, to Penang and then to Kedah and married a local Malay woman. In a CNN interview by Anand Naidu in 1985 or thereabouts, He introduced you as: ”I am interviewing Mahathir Mohamad, the PM of Malaysia, who incidentally is half-Indian," and you smiled.
In your application to the Medical Faculty University of Malaya at Singapore in 1948, you wrote "Mahathir s/o Mohamad" to show your Indian Muslim origin. Kandiah asked: "Now, at 98, why are you denying your roots and origins? For what purpose?
“Your family is super rich. What more do you seek from being a racist, spreading hatred and disharmony and amassing wealth, which the Government is investigating now.”.
ends
Freelance Writer M. Krishnamoorthy (www.imkrishna.net) is a media coach, adjunct professor and undercover journalist. He has freelanced with Bernama, NST, The Star, and Malaysiakini. He also freelances as a fixer/coordinator for CNN, BBC, German and Australian Television networks and the New York Times. As an undercover journalist, he has highlighted society's concerns
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